Clifford Sale, 82
Clifford L. Sale, 82, of Hamilton, died Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Holland Hospital.
Cliff was a member and served at the Hamilton Reformed Church, the Laotian Church, and later in life attended Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. When he and Loie were unable to have children, they selflessly reached out to Bethany Christian Services in hopes of adopting. They also participated in sponsoring two Laotian refugee families which became part of their own.
When not driving truck, he enjoyed playing golf and tinkering with his model train set, which took up most of his backyard. He also attained his private pilot’s license and spent time flying and attending aviation-related events. He retired from Holland Special Delivery and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and is survived by his children, Eric and Annalee Sale, and Paula and Doug Vugteveen; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brittney and John Rich (Luna), Alex and Jessica Sale (Easton, Brently, Charlotte), Jenna and Caleb Block, and Nathan Vugteveen; special friend, Sandy DeWys; in-laws, Mary VerBurg, Ruth and John Stanley, and Virginia Kleinheksel; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 25 at Hamilton Reformed Church, 3554 M-40, Hamilton. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Wings of Mercy or Hospice of Holland.
William Gras, 89
Dr. William (Bill) Gras, 89, of Zeeland, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Dr. Gras was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, in 2020, and ever since his three daughters have been doing their best to match her unwavering support.
Bill was born in Zeeland, and graduated from Holland Christian High School, Calvin College, and University of Michigan School of Medicine. He had a PhD in physics, then became interested in optics while doing research, so. he returned to school to become an opthalmologist/eye surgeon.
Bill and Carolyn managed his practice in Zeeland. They both believed and embodied serving the underserved both through his medical practice at home and his medical mission trip adventures overseas, especially Mercy Ships. He was an avid ham radio operator and pilot.
He is survived by his children, Mark Gras, Lynn Gras, Karin and David Carvalho, and Sarah and Dave Munson; granddaughters, Anna and Ella Carvalho, and Mapi Munson; siblings, Evelyn Myaard, Andy and Annie Gras, Norma and Chuck Monsma, Marie Williams, Ester Mains, Joanne Gras and Leah Kelley, John and Von Gras.
A family celebration of life will take place at a later date, and his ashes will be buried next to Carolyn in Churchill, Mont. Memorials may be made to Mercy Ships at mercyships.org.
Ernest Prince, 92
Ernest (Ernie) Prince, 92, of West Olive, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 19, 2026. His passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Ernest Prins in Doon, Iowa in 1933 to Henry and Henrietta Prins. He and his family moved to Holland in 1935. The family changed the spelling of their surname to Prince after the 1930 Federal Census. Ernie graduated from Holland High, served three terms with the Army National Guard in Company D, and received honorable discharges at the end of each term, achieving the rank of master sergeant.
Ernie worked in the hull department building boats for Chris-Craft. He then worked in industrial construction, which included the power plants on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of which is the J.H. Campbell plant on Pigeon Lake. Upon retirement, he represented Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church and South Olive CRC as a volunteer with World Renew Disaster Response Services (formerly CRWRC).
Perhaps the thing Ernie and Judy are best known for is their love of fishing. For years, if you wanted to know where the fish were biting, you hailed the “Princess” when out on Lake Michigan. American Tackle and Gold Coast Outfitters tapped into Ernie’s skills for several years, as he delivered the morning fishing report on WHTC.
Ernie is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Judy (Otten) Prince; their daughters, Jill (Will) Wallaker, Jackie (Dan) Vanden Berg, Jenn (Rick) Fett and Jessica (Pieter) Kiwiet; grandchildren, Ian Wallaker, Meg Wallaker (Josh Garrett), MJ Wallaker, Blake (Michaela) Vanden Berg, Hailey (Jon) Loeper, Dylan Fett, Ani Fett, Joshua Kiwiet-Pantaleoni, Jordi Rivera Prince (Daniel Turner), and Sydney Rivera Prince; five great-grandchildren; sister, Judith DeGraaf; and sister-in-law, Ruby (Jerry) Prince.
He is preceded in death by 11 of his siblings, Johanna (Ann) Reyes, John Prince, Joseph Prince, Henrietta (Harriet) Ter Haar Dalman, Jeanette (Janet) Ter Haar, Alice Tubergen, Richard Prince, Henry (Chick) Prince, Frances Baumann, Ralph Prince, and Gerald (Jerry) Prince.
A service will be held for Ernie on Saturday, April 25 at 3 p.m., at Dykstra Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland. Following the service, the family will celebrate Ernie’s life and share memories with friends from 4 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to World Renew Disaster Response Services.
Sharon Bennett, 80
Sharon Fay Bennett, 80, of Zeeland, passed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Born Feb. 14, 1946, in Osceola, Iowa, Sharon lived a life marked by devoted love for family, steadfast generosity and a love of Jesus Christ. She was always a light in the room, brought lots of laughter and a warm presence that will be deeply missed.
Sharon graduated from high school in Sturgis, S.D., and later attended Dakota Wesleyan University on a full scholarship - an early reflection of her capable, determined spirit.
While at school, Sharon met Dale Bennett on July 12, 1967. Just six weeks later, they were married on Aug. 21, 1967, beginning a marriage that spanned the next 58 years and stood as a meaningful example of love to all who knew them. Together they welcomed their daughter, Shelley, and their son, Michael into the world. After many years in South Dakota, the family moved to the Holland area in 1988.
Sharon will be remembered for her magnificent crocheting, with blankets lovingly made for much of the family. She was also an excellent cross-stitcher and found joy in many other arts and crafts, including jewelry making with beads.
When she wasn’t creating something by hand, Sharon could often be found absorbed in a crossword puzzle or a sudoku puzzle.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Dale Bennett; daughter, Shelley (Denny) O’Regan; grandchildren, Erin (Nolan) Potgeter, Heather (Nevin) Klingenberg, Jessie Bahm, Joshua (Aryianna) Vandenbosch, Isabelle Bennett, and Nikolas Bennett; sisters, Linda (Richard) Archuleta, Mary Manley and Vicki Gould; brothers, Eddie (Theresa) Gould, Donald Gould, and Gary (Maureen) Gould; eight great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and a multitude of beloved nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her son, Michael Bennett; grandchild, Jacob Bennett; father, Avery Gould; mother, Helen Gould; her brothers, Virgil Gould, Leland Gould, James Gould, and David Gould; and sister, Gina Gould.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, March 29 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, with designated family sharing time from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Lois Boerigter, 79
Lois Helene Boerigter, 79, of West Olive, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Born May 25, 1946, Lois will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude for a life marked by steady devotion, caring strength, and faithful presence. Lois graduated from Zeeland High School in 1964. Soon after, she met her husband, Wayne Boerigter, and together they shared more than 60 years side by side. They spent their lives in the West Olive/Zeeland area, where they raised three children, Brian, Bruce, and Beth.
A devoted and generous woman, Lois found joy in the everyday ways she could care for others. She loved quilting and was well known for baking pies, cakes, brownies, and much more. She especially cherished being a mom to her children - and to those who needed her. Lois also enjoyed spending time taking care of the kids in the church nursery.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Boerigter; daughter, Beth Boerigter; and brother, Ken (Hazel) Jacobsen.
She is survived by her sons, Brian Boerigter and Bruce (Robin) Boerigter; grandchildren, Austin (Stevie-Lynn) Boerigter and Michael Boerigter; and great-grandchildren, Mattew Boerigter and Bryar Boerigter.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 23 at Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church, 4055 112th Ave., Holland. Lois was laid to rest at West Olive Cemetery.
Gunner Ackerman, infant
Gunner Lee Ackerman was born into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Zeeland.
Gunner is survived by his parents, Daniel and Shauwnteasia Ackerman of Grand Haven.
No services were scheduled. Arrangements through the Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 213 W. Savidge St. Spring Lake.
Irene Burns, 83
Irene Ann Burns, 83, of Zeeland, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026.
No services were planned.
Beatrice Dick, 90
Beatrice "Sally" Ann Dick, 90, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at MediLodge of Zeeland.
Sally was born on July 14, 1935, in Grayling to the late Harley and Lillian (Lovely) Kennedy. Sally married Glen R. Dick in 1955, and they cherished 71 years of marriage together.
Sally was an avid reader who also enjoyed watching movies, visiting the casino, and playing video games. She was a devoted fan of Nintendo games, especially those featuring Mario and Sonic. Over the years, Sally worked in a variety of roles, including as a waitress, a housekeeper, and for a time she provided in-home childcare.
Sally is survived by her loving husband, Glen; grandchildren, Stacy Dobb and Matt Dobb; and great-grandchildren, Bryson, Brooklyn, Tanner, and Jayden.
Sally was preceded in death by her parents; children, Jacqueline Dobb and Jeffery Dick; two sisters and four brothers.
A celebration of life for Sally was held on Wednesday, March 18 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home in Grand Haven, with Pastor Tim VanderHaar officiating. Interment was at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
