Earl Mokma, 79
Earl Lynn Mokma, 79, of Zeeland, met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Earl was born Feb. 19, 1947, in Oakland, Mich., to Lewis and Jeannette (Joostberns) Mokma. Earl attended Russcher School through elementary school and then was a student in the first graduating class of Hamilton High School. He married Judith “Judy” Nykamp on Feb. 23, 1968, in Niekerk Christian Reformed Church.
Earl worked in the building trades as a tile installer and later as a dry wall contractor. In the 1970s he started working at the Ottawa County Road Commission and later served as the Zeeland Garage supervisor for several years before he retired. In retirement, Earl stayed very active and busy. For 18 years he worked at Engelsman Greenhouse and also never missed attending his grandchildren’s athletic and school events.
Earl and Judy are longtime members of North Street Christian Reformed Church, where Earl has served as an elder, elder of visitation, and as a deacon. He enjoyed hunting, gardening, reading, puzzling, and camping with his family. Earl also served his country as an SP4 in the Army National Guard, going active duty during the summer of 1968.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judy; their children, Sheryl and Todd Vanden Heuvel, and Scott and Jennifer Mokma; grandchildren, Zachary and Heather Vanden Heuvel, Tyler and Alexis Vanden Heuvel, Trevor Vanden Heuvel, Michael and Miranda Mokma, and Christopher and Anneka Mokma; great-grandchildren, Kristoijn T. Vanden Heuvel, Maatje Helene Vanden Heuvel, Malia Evon Vanden Heuvel, Kees Dean Vanden Heuvel and Lainey Cove Vanden Heuvel; siblings, Arnold and Marilyn Mokma, and Delbert and Elizabeth (Betty) Mokma; in-laws, Norma and Henry Viening, Bill and Mary Nykamp, Garry and Beth Nykamp, Sandy and Jim Van Dragt, Phyllis Nykamp, and Linda and Mark Molewyk; and many extended family members.
Earl was preceded in death by his brothers, Allen Mokma and Keith Mokma; and sister-in-law, Kathy Mokma.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main Ave., Zeeland. Interment will be in Zeeland Cemetery (Original).
Memorial contributions may be made to Gateway Mission.
Eunice Ferrin, 92
Eunice Lovedridge Ferrin, 92, of Zeeland, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Eunice was born on April 29, 1933.
No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are by Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11930 James St., Holland.
Toni Laws, 59
Toni Laws, 59, of Zeeland, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Pat and Brian Van Faasen. She worked for 10 years at EZ Vent in Rockford. Toni enjoyed collecting rocks and is described by Dave as a “rockhound”. But more than anything else her grandchildren meant the world to her.
She is survived by her husband of 10 years, David; her children and grandchildren, Nicole and Josh Pickard (Lilah and Lucia), Michelle and David Prys (Korbin, Scarlett and Sadie), and Casey Hillis; stepson, Cody Van Alstine and April DeLoach; sisters, Jeri Ramirez, and Jodi and Wayne Ray; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lisa Laws and Chris Kinney, Chad and Nancy Laws, and Alex Laws.
A memorial service in Toni’s honor will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, March 21, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 20, also at Yntema Funeral Home.
Gloria Boerman, 83
Gloria Jean Boerman, 83, of Brentwood, Tenn., formerly of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in hospice.
Gloria was born on June 20, 1942, in Zeeland to Jay and Charlotte Van Dam. She graduated from Zeeland High School and went on to a career as a bookkeeper.
Gloria worked for many years with different companies but finally retired from her career with Sherwin Williams. She attended Second Reformed Church where she volunteered often over the years.
Gloria lived in Zeeland most of her life until she moved to Brentwood, Tenn. in 2018 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Gloria is survived by her sons, Steven (Melissa) and Christopher (Helen), five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Charlotte.
A private memorial was held for immediate family. Gloria was laid to rest in Bentheim Cemetery with her family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Second Reformed Church.
Thomas Carlson, 93
Thomas Neil Carlson, 93, of Janesville, Wis., passed away Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Zeeland.
Tom was born at home in Janesville on April 25, 1932, the son of the late Harold Raymond and Martha Ellen (Erickson) Carlson. He quite literally grew up at Fairview Plant Farm on Milwaukee Street, where the steady rhythms of greenhouse work, school, and church meetings shaped his early years. At age 7, Tom became Fairview’s best tomato salesman.
As Tom grew, so did his responsibilities - painting plant labels, blending potting soils, transplanting, potting, watering, and even stoking the boiler on cold winter nights. Fresh out of business school, he married Marjorie Lundgren and began his family in the very house where he was born, right there at Fairview.
Tom became a partner in the family business with his father, Harold, and older brother, Russell. Focusing on the retail side, Tom brought energy, innovation, and growth. He pioneered the concept of a self-service garden center featuring informational plant displays, disposable growing containers for vegetables, and shopping carts - ideas that were forward-thinking for their time.
Always community-minded, Tom served in many offices in the Janesville Lions Club and chaired the effort that brought the President’s Marine Corps Band to Janesville for annual concerts.
Through all of life’s ups and downs, Tom maintained a strong and steady faith in Jesus Christ. He deeply respected his four uncles who served in a nondenominational, itinerant ministry in Scandinavia and the Midwest.
Tom is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda (Teich) Carlson; her daughters, Laura (Brian) Manola, Allison Schultz, and Julie (Terry) Paice; five step-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Robert) Restivo and Judy Alt. He is also survived by his first wife, Marjorie (Lundgren) Carlson; their sons, Noel (Kathleen Griswold) Carlson of Holland, and Jeff (Karen Conners) Carlson of Anaheim Hills, Calif.; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Lloyd Russell Carlson, Harold Raymond Carlson Jr., Evelyn Mae Carlson, and David Noel Carlson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20 at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., and a luncheon will be provided following the service.
Betty Hilldore, 94
Betty Grace (Peuler) Hilldore, age 94, of Holland, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Quincy Place Senior Living.
Betty Grace (Peuler) Hilldore lived a life rooted in family, music, and the many simple pleasures that brought her joy. Born to Henry and Alice Peuler in Hudsonville, she was active in school, playing basketball and clarinet and accompanying choirs on piano.
She met the love of her life, Larry, at 16, married him at 18, and together they raised five children. Betty faithfully attended their plays, concerts, and tennis matches, and accompanied them at solo and ensemble events. She also nurtured her own love of antiquing and her knack for making her home warm and inviting.
After most of her children were grown, Betty enrolled full-time at Grand Valley State University to pursue a degree in social work. She went on to serve families in Allegan, Kent, and Muskegon counties before retiring and later working at antique and home décor shops in Holland.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Lawrence, and a great-granddaughter, Sasha Adaline White.
She is survived by her children, Thomas (Mary) Hilldore, Lori (William) Notier, Larry (Cheryl) Hilldore, Mary Hilldore, and Timothy (Christy) Hilldore; 16 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Sunday, March 15 at Dykstra Funeral Homes - Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave. in Holland, with Chaplain Lisa Braunius officiating. Burial was in Lakewood Cemetery.
John VanLoo, 84
John VanLoo, 84, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
John was born in Zeeland, on Dec. 4, 1941, to John and Trina VanLoo, and was a cherished member of the community throughout his life.
John was married to his wife, Judy, for 59 years. He was affectionately known as “The Tractor Man” in the community due to his many years working in tractor sales and his spirited participation in parades and tractor shows. He loved displaying his tractors and seeing the wonder in children’s eyes when they experienced the tractors up close.
An avid outdoorsman, John cherished regular trips with his hunting club. A dedicated member of the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church, John’s faith was a guiding light in his life.
John is survived by his wife, Judy VanLoo; sister, Ruth (Harvey) LePoire; in-laws, Betty Derks, Jim and Hilda Derks; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Jay, Carolyn, Robert, and Paul; and brother-in-law, Harley Derks.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 17, at the Drenthe Christian Reformed Church, 6344 Adams St., Zeeland. Memorial contributions may be given to Drenthe Christian Reformed Church or to South Christian High School (please write “Feyen Children” on the memo line).
