Wesley Vander Lugt, 70
Wesley Jay Vander Lugt, 70, of Zeeland, passed away on March 29, 2026.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Catherine Vander Lugt; and his younger brother, Dale.
Wes grew up in Allendale, At 23, he began his career at Herman Miller, and at the age of 27, he met his beautiful wife, Denise. Over nearly 43 years, they raised six children, faithfully sending each of them to Christian school and supporting them through life’s happiest and most challenging moments, exemplifying how to love God and love others.
In 2019, Wes retired from Herman Miller after 41 years of dedicated service. His retirement was joyfully spent supporting his church family through his continued service as an elder and Cadet counselor. He delighted in volunteering at Hungry for Christ, making memories with his beloved grandchildren, and going on adventures with his wife, Denise. Wes’ servant’s heart touched countless lives and left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Within the last month, Wes’ diagnosis and battle with pancreatic cancer shocked and devastated those who love him. His family is deeply grateful for the quality time they were able to share in his final weeks.
Wes is survived by his loving wife, Denise Vander Lugt; children, Abbie (Andrew) Woudwyk, parents of Easton and Brayla; Jordan (Martha) Vander Lugt, parents of Luna and Leon; Breanne (Chad) Heeter, parents of Noah and Beau Wesley; Jacob (Stephanie) Vander Lugt, parents of Everly and a baby girl expected soon; Caleb Vander Lugt and his fiancée, Katie Porter; and Madison (Hunter) Bachman; sisters, Linda Vander Lugt, Nancee (Dave) Kraker, Beverly (Scott) Launiere, and Lorraine Vander Lugt; Denise’s siblings, the late Duane Vanden Bosch, Diane (Robert) Friesema, Daryl (the late Debra) Vanden Bosch, Deb (Mike) DeVries and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.
A celebration of life for Wes will be held at 11 a.m. today at First Christian Reformed Church, 15 S. Church St., Zeeland. Refreshments will be available after the service in the church’s fellowship room.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hungry for Christ hun gryforchrist.org/s-projects-side-by-side.
Leon Prins, 84
Leon Prins, 84, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Leon demonstrated a lifelong servant spirit. His love of gardening was a source of joy and giving, especially when it came to tomatoes. In season, there wasn’t a Sunday that went by where he didn’t open the back of the car and allow fellow parishioners to take their pick. He served on the consistory of North Blendon Reformed Church. He was a man who gave of himself freely and provided his helpful spirit to fix about anything.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sandra Prins, and sister, Shirley Weener.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sally Prins; daughter, Karen and Russ Evink; grandsons, Noah and Dynelle Prins, and Adam and Kenzie Prins; great-grandchildren, Ezra, Lewis and James; brother-in-law, Jack and Deni Plakke; sister-in-law, Pat and David Van Dyke; brother-in-law, Rev. Sherwin Weener; and his nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A memorial service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 2 p.m. at North Blendon Reformed Church, 7224 Taylor St., Hudsonville. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service from 1 to 1:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Leon may be given to North Blendon Reformed Church, 7224 Taylor St., Hudsonville, MI 49426.
Robert Myers, 81
Robert “Bob” Calvin Myers, 81, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Born Dec. 30, 1944, in Northville, Robert will be remembered as a devoted, talented, and outdoorsy man whose life reflected steady love for family, nature, and history.
Bob was raised by his mother, Winifred Myers, and never had the chance to meet his father, Walter Myers, who passed away in World War II. As a young boy, Bob was a typical outdoorsy kid who loved heading into the woods with his brothers and friends from the street, BB guns in hand, making the kind of simple memories that stay with a person for life.
Bob met Patricia Shonteff in high school. Though they were not high school sweethearts, they began dating on their last day of senior year. On July 31, 1965, Bob and Pat were married, and they spent the next 60 years together making unforgettable memories and raising two children, Bob (Jan) Myers and Nicole (Doug) Mostrom.
A man of many talents, Bob was a member of the varsity swim team and enjoyed taking part in the Rendezvous Reenactment. He loved connecting with nature and with history, which led to a deep love of hunting and reenacting the mountain man era. In that spirit, Bob took up the remarkable hobby of building his own muzzle-loading rifles from scratch and fabricating period-authentic clothing, tents, and iron work to outfit his camp – work that reflected both patience and skill.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Myers; children, Bob (Jan) Myers and Nicole (Doug) Mostrom; and grandsons, Travis (Bethany) Myers and Jesse (Lindsey) Myers. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Myers; his mother, Winifred Myers; and his brother, Edward Myers.
Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 1 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St. Holland.
Morris Klinger, 82
Morris Gene Klinger, 82, of North Blendon, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026.
Morris was a part owner and 35-year employee of Top Line Equipment in Zeeland and member of North Blendon Christian Reformed Church.
Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Fanny Klinger; and parents-in-law, Bud and Jean Mulder.
Morris is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beth Klinger; children, Curt (Tami) Klinger and Amy (Rich) Rottier; grandchildren, Allison Klinger, Myiah Klinger, Reide Klinger, Jessica Klinger and Nick Rottier; and great-grandson, Theo Rottier.
A memorial service was held Monday, March 30 at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church, 7284 Taylor St., Hudsonville, with Rev. Aaron Vriesman officiating. Burial was in Blendon Township Cemetery.
The Klinger family would like to thank Faith Hospice and especially Morris’ care givers, Kathy, Brenda, and Abigail, for the loving care he received; and suggest that memorial contributions be made to Faith Hospice.
Phyllis Barkel, 84
Phyllis Kay Barkel, 84, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Born April 6, 1941 in Borculo, Phyllis was the daughter of Lewis and Anne (Vanden Heuvel) Vanden Bosch. She married Art Barkel in 1958.
A formal and respectful presence to all who knew her, Phyllis built a life rooted in family, faith, and steady dedication. She worked as a beautician for 30 years and later concluded her career at West Michigan Canvas. A longtime member of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, she remained devoted to her church community throughout the years.
Phyllis enjoyed many hobbies, including bowling, golfing, and knitting – pastimes that reflected her active spirit and the simple joys she found in everyday life.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Art Barkel; her parents, Lewis and Anne Vanden Bosch; sister, Lucille Krithof; brothers-in-law, Jerry Kruithof and Gene Davidson; and her sister-in-law, Kathy Davidson.
She is survived by her children, Jeff (Lisa) Barkel and Kim (Kevin) Blauwkamp; her special friend, Lee Dekker; brother, Bob (Shirley) Vanden Bosch; sister, Barb (Cal) Janssen; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 4 at Second Reformed Church, 225 E. Central Ave., Zeeland, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and a service at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made out to Faith Hospice.
Marjorie Streur, 89
Marjorie Eileen Streur, 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Holland.
Born Aug. 23, 1936, in Holland, Marjorie was the daughter of Ted and Agnes Knoll.
Marjorie retired from Family Fare and devoted herself to caring for others, fostering many children over the years. She shared 64 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Paul Streur Sr., and together they raised their family in Holland until Paul Sr. passed away in 2020.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Streur Sr.; her parents, Theodore and Agnes Knoll; and siblings, Connie Knoll, Edie Drooger, Angene Halsted, and Jim Knoll.
Marjorie is survived by her children, Janet Gonser, Paul (Lynn) Streur II, and Daniel (Jennifer) Streur; grandchildren, Tiffany, Easton, Hailie, Justin, Devin (Courtney), and Lauren Streur; great-grandchildren, Josiah Streur and Mary Streur; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private family memorial service will take place. Memorial contributions in Marjorie’s honor may be made to Central Park Church.
Karen Konopinski, 60
Karen Marie Konopinski, 60, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
Karen was born on Aug. 22, 1965, in Modesto, Calif., the youngest daughter of the late Robert F. and Judith E. (Jasmer) Eskew. On Jan. 20, 1990, she was united in marriage to Scott G. Konopinski. Karen was employed by Auto-Owners Insurance Co. in Lansing for more than 20 years.
During their 36-year marriage, Scott and Karen enjoyed the love of faith, family, and friends. It was in 2015 that Scott and Karen discovered their love of boating. They spent many summers on the waters of Lake Michigan with their boat Island Time. Karen lived a life marked by compassion, strength, and deep devotion to her family and friends.
Surviving are her loving husband, Scott Konopinski; children, Matthew Konopinski, Nathan Konopinski, and Jennifer (Chad) Bonner; grandchildren, Jordan Konopinski, Natalie Bonner and Kendall Bonner; brothers, Steve (Laurie) Eskew and Michael Eskew; sister, Sherri (Bill) Leistner; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday April 19, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Flat Rock Grill, 68973 M-62, Edwardsburg, Mich.
Memorial contributions may be directed in Karen’s name to the Elizabeth Weiser Caswell Diabetes Institute at medresearch. umich.edu/giving/areas-support/ giving-caswell-diabetes-institute. Floral donations may be directed to: 18 Princeton Ct., Zeeland, MI
49464, c/o Scott Konopinski.
Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit Karen’s personalized webpage at clarkch.com.
Jon Schaapman, 58
Jon E. Schaapman, 58, passed away at home on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Holland.
Born in Zeeland on May 3, 1967, Jon built a life on hard work and dedication. He had a passion for woodworking, hunting, and fishing; his two children, Eric and Lyndsie; his two grandchildren, Gaige and Eden Lundy; and his two beloved “grand-dogs,” Kaya Ginger and Sig Sauer.
Jon loved spending time outdoors, in the garage at his workbench, cooking, learning about survival and sailing, spending time with his grandkids or coming up with unique and creative DIY projects at home. He loved his little family and made sure to spend every waking moment teaching them new skills and building things.
Jon had more patience than most dads. He would show his children over and over again, but never got tired of it. He enjoyed teaching them, even the smallest things. He loved spending time in the kitchen and woodworking alongside his daughter, Lyndsie, going out on the town and fishing with his son, Eric. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his children, Eric Schaapman and Lyndsie Lundy; grandchildren, Gaige and Eden Lundy; brother, Steve and Gerda Schaapman; and nephew, Tim Schaapman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Julia Schaapman.
No public services were scheduled.
