Mary Berens, 86
Mary Berens, 86, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James, and parents, Egbert and Julianna Kamphuis.
Mary was born on Oct. 25, 1939, in Zeeland. She graduated from Holland Christian High School. She and Jim married and raised their family in Zeeland. Mary waitressed at Community Restaurant and at Jerry’s Country Inn. Mary was a devoted and faithful member at Oakland Christian Reformed Church and North Street Christian Reformed Church.
Mary is survived by her children, Tom and Nancy Hall Berens, and Sue and Bryan Krommendyk; grandchildren, Anne-Marie Berens, Whitney and Jake Settlemyre, Haley Krommendyk, and Michael Krommendyk, twin brother, Bob and Ida Kamphuis; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lyda and Don Milburn, Larry and Paula Berens, Carol Johnson, Dan and Vicki Berens, Betty DiCesare, and Marlys Berens.
A funeral service to honor Mary’s life will be held at 11 a.m. today at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main Ave., Zeeland. Interment will be in Bentheim Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to North Street Christian Reformed Church or to Paradise Bound Ministries to build a house in Mary’s honor.
Esther DeVries, 98
Esther DeVries, 98, of Jenison, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Esther was the youngest of seven children. After the early loss of her mother, her uncle and aunt, James and Alice (Sterken) Wagenaar, were instrumental in raising her alongside her cousin, Leona (Wagenaar) Piers, with whom she shared a lifelong bond.
A graduate of Holland Christian High School and the Blodgett School of Nursing, Esther dedicated more than 50 years of her life to the care of others as a labor and delivery nurse at Blodgett Hospital before retiring at 75.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband, Lee DeVries; her parents, Henry B. and Anna Sterken; her beloved aunt and uncle, James and Alice Wagenaar; her siblings, and her cherished cousin, Leona.
Esther is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jan and Paul Walcott; granddaughters and their husbands, Lauren Walcott and Sam Bowerman, and Jillian Walcott and AJ Monterusso; great-grandchildren, Esther Jean and Anthony J Monterusso III; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to honor Esther's life was held on Wednesday, April 29, at Hudsonville Reformed Church, 3950 Highland Dr., Hudsonville.
Special thanks to the staff at The Oaks at Jamestown Assisted Living community who cared so well for Esther for the last 18 months of her life and to Jessica and the Hospice of Holland team for their compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be given to Grand Rapids Community College Foundation's Margaret Bowles Scholarship Fund (nursing program) or Hospice of Holland.
Marilyn Greiner, 86
Marilyn Kay Greiner, 86, of Ludington, passed away quietly at home on Thursday, April 23, 2026, surrounded by family.
Marilyn was born Feb. 5, 1940, in Zeeland, to William Howard Crawford and Edna (Mast) Crawford, who preceded her in death.
The Crawford family moved to Free Soil in 1942. Marilyn and her younger brothers, Howard Dale (Susan) Crawford of Springville, Tenn., and Larry (Patricia) Crawford of Custer, attended school in Scottville. Her brothers survive her.
Marilyn and her husband Robert Greiner were married in Las Vegas in 1981. The couple made their home in Ludington. Her husband Robert also survives her.
Marilyn worked for Baywood Nursing Home for several years before joining the C&O Carferry Service in 1979. Her spent 22 total years of sailing with the Ludington Car Ferry Service.
Marilyn was married to Paul Rathburn of Custer in 1959. Together, they had four children, Tammy Crawford-Rathburn, Linnet (Garry) Bentz, Steven Rathburn, and Patrick Rathburn, whom all survive.
Grandchildren from this marriage include Adam Steffens, Kortni (Jon) Hallberg, Kyle (Kei) Steffens. Danielle (Mike) Miller, Michael (Lauren) Bentz, Blake Bentz, Jennifer (Thomas) Hissong, Jennifer (Annie) Harkins, Dillon Rathburn, Brenen (Kayla) Rathburn, whom all survive; Brandon Bentz (deceased), as well as 16 great-grandchildren, and caregiver and friend, Malissa Taylor.
There was no celebration of life service for Marilyn at her request. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
Jerry Boeve, 82
Jerry Lee Boeve, 82, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his father, Donald; mother, Alma; brothers, Wayne, James, and Edward; and sister, Barbara.
Jerry was a member of Ridge Point Community Church. He started his career as an auto mechanic, working at various mechanic shops, including R.E. Barber Ford for 10 years. He retired from LifeSavers Company following 21 years of employment as a machinist and a machine adjuster.
Jerry is survived by his children, Julia and Thomas McIntire of Lowell, Jennifer Kraft of Martindale, Tex., and Jason and Rachel Boeve of Grand Rapids; adult grandchildren, Alyssa and Luke Start, and Joshua Swain; grandchildren, Troy, Jude, Isaac, Scott, Sean, Leila and Jonah; siblings, Doug and Mary Boeve of Zeeland and Steven and Shelly Boeve of Holland; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Allegan County Commission on Aging for the care and assistance they showed Jerry in his home for the months leading up to his move to assisted living. A special thanks goes to Meals on Wheels as well for their assistance in providing Jerry with healthy meal options and delivery to his door.
The family would like to thank Jerry’s longtime friend, Pete and his wife, Jan Alberta for their friendship, kindness, love, and assistance they showed him over the past several decades/years; and to David and Ellie Zeerip for their friendship and care of Jerry in the past couple of years.
A burial service was held in East Holland Cemetery in Fillmore Township on Saturday, April 25.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Ridge Point Community Church of Holland.
William Russell, 94
William Edward Russell, 94, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Born on Oct. 3, 1931 to Albert and Emma (Dolly Sluss) Russell in Canton, Ohio, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Karen (Kay) McArtor. They had married shortly after his honorable discharge from the armed forces as a Korean War veteran.
Craving to understand the Bible, the newlyweds enrolled in Milwaukee Bible Institute, which became Grace Bible College (now Grace Christian University) when it relocated to Grand Rapids.
After college, Russell was a mission builder in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he built a college dormitory and a radio station, for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel throughout the island. After returning to the states, he began the Russell Construction Company. He founded the Ohio Grace Youth Camp and the Berean Bible Church of Minerva, Ohio. Russell pastored for 19 years, serving churches in Ohio, Michigan and Alabama.
Others who preceded him in death were his parents and siblings, Jean (Leonard) Walmsley (Carl) Harrison, Alice (Myrl) Short, Glen Albert, and Josephine (Roy) Kelsey.
He is survived by his brother, George Dewey Russell of Seattle, Wash; children, Cindy Lippincott of Hudsonville, who has been his caregiver, Kimberly (Troy) Haynam of Alliance, Ohio, Lisa (Harold) Kimbel of Zeeland, Pastor William G. Russell (Tricia) of Allendale, Terry (Jodie Marie) Russell of Wayland, and Pastor Jody (Sue) Russell of Cadillac; 19 grandchildren; 21 (soon to be 22) great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m. the Berean Bible Church at 4446 Meese Rd. NE, Louisville, Ohio. Military honors will be held at the graveside service after the funeral in Moultrie Chapel Cemetery.
Kerry Verbeek, 73
Kerry Lynn Verbeek, 73, of Frederick, Md., formerly of Zeeland, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Frederick Health Hospital. He was the loving husband of Lucinda "Cindy" Verbeek.
Born on July 27, 1952 in Zeeland, he was the son of the late Kenneth Verbeek and Antoinette (Toni) (Overbeek) Verbeek. He attended Holland Public Schools and was a 1970 graduate of Holland Christian High School.
Kerry served in the Michigan National Guard as an infantryman from 1971 to 1977 where he served as a selected marksman. He worked for General Electric in Holland as a machinist for several years before transitioning to IT as a hardware engineer.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Julia (Ryan) Chorny, Travis VerBeek and three grandchildren in Michigan; stepson, Samuel Winters and two grandsons in Florida; brother, Dan (Michele) Verbeek of Statesboro, Ga.; sister, Vicki (Doug) Ball Vagabonds; and sister, Shelley (Bill) VanderMeulen of Florida.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by a stepson, Brett Winters, and niece, Aimee VerBeek Brown.
A celebration of Kerry's life journey will take place in Michigan this summer. Interment will be in Bentheim Cemetery in Overisel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your local animal shelter or local food pantry.
Sandra Houston, 81
Sandra E. Houston, 81, of Holland, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Holland Hospital.
Sandra was born on July 30, 1944, to Arthur and Fanny Nelson. In 1965 she married Ralph Houston, who she met at Bethany Church in Chicago. She ministered with Ralph at Doster Reformed (RCA) Church, Forreston RCA in Illinois and then later at Immanuel RCA in Fennville.
In 1979 the family went back to Holland where she served with her husband at the Holland City Mission (Gateway) until 1993. That same year she began working at Baker Book House and Resthaven Care Center and being a helpmate to Ralph at Immanuel RCA.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Fanny Nelson (VanderAa); her beloved husband, Rev. Ralph Houston; sisters, Arlene (Jack) Otto and Carol Burnam.
She is survived by her children, Susan and Bruce Smith of Holland; David and Helen Houston of Muskegon; Ann and Frank Wilson of Holland; and Daniel Houston of Lynden, Wash.; grandchildren, Brandon and Allie Broekhuizen of Hamilton, Nathan Broekhuizen of Zeeland, Emily and Levi Painter of Saint John, Ill.; and Lauren Broekhuizen of Zeeland; Tony and Peyton Houston of Muskegon; Sarah and Matt Hassell of Holland, Bethany and Todd DeGarmo of Grand Rapids; Sadie, Silas and Sawyer Houston of Lynden, Wash.; nine great-grandchildren; by her brother-in-law and special friends, Mark (Amy) Burnam of New Lenox, Ill.; Carole Scholten of Holland and Doug Broekhuizen of Holland.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 24 at Maplewood Reformed Church, 133 E. 34th St., Holland, with Rev. Dr. James Ellis officiating. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
David Vander Kooi, 75
David William Vander Kooi, 75, of Olive Township, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
David was born Feb. 4, 1951, in Noordeloos to William and Beatrice (Boerman) Vander Kooi. David married Glenna Ellis on March 14, 1975, and they raised their two children in Holland and Olive Township.
David retired from Great Lakes Woods, and he and Glenna are members of Zion Chapel. He enjoyed reading his Bible and spending time walking in the woods.
David is survived by his wife of 51 years, Glenna; children, Michelle and Gerald Fassett of Sand Lake, and Eric and Diana Vander Kooi of Arkansas; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Felicia and Joe Donahoe (Braydon, Joseph), Crystal Zimmerman, John and Kenedi Zimmerman (William, Reagan), Rebekah Zimmerman (Aliyah), Jeremiah Zimmerman, Zackery and Megan Vander Kooi (Max), Madison Vander Kooi and fiance Austin Hartsfield; siblings, Alma and Larry Myaard, and Alan and Kellie Vander Kooi; and many extended family members.
A private family viewing and graveside service were held, and interment was in Olive Township Cemetery.
