Paul Geerlings, 82
Paul Martin Geerlings, 82, of Holland, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Born on April 11, 1944 in Zeeland, Paul was the 10th of 12 children and was raised on a farm, the site of which is now Geerlings Farm Park on 96th Avenue in Zeeland. He attended Zeeland Christian School through ninth grade and graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1962.
Throughout his life, Paul was surrounded by large machinery, farm equipment and automobiles, and from a young age, he was familiar with driving and repairs. In high school, he worked at his brother-in-law’s auto repair shop. After graduation, he continued driving truck, working in auto and parts sales, and working as a mechanic.
This work continued when Paul joined the Navy as a Seabee in 1968 and served a tour at Camp Campbell in Vietnam, where, beginning at the rank of E-5, he balanced hands-on project execution with supervising construction, managing logistics, and mentoring junior personnel. He returned home in 1970 but remained in the Navy Reserves until 1974.
After his return from the service, Paul married Jan Van Haitsma in 1971. Together, they had two children, Renae and Ross.
Through the ensuing years, Paul had a variety of careers, including owning and operating the service station in Bentheim, then owning and operating Doc’s Sales, before moving on to drive semi for Burke Energy and Zeeland Farm Services. From there, he was promoted to dispatcher and then operations manager at TLC.
The work he loved most, though, was his tenure as Ottawa County Drain Commissioner from 2000 to 2012. Paul took great pride in, and felt deep camaraderie with, his team and his years there gave him great enjoyment.
He also served four years on the Zeeland City Council.
Paul is survived by his wife, Jan (Van Haitsma) Geerlings; children, Renae (Tyler Mane) Geerlings and Ross (Michelle) Geerlings; grandchildren, Elle Geerlings, Shania (Kyle) Fults, and Lysander Karolat; and siblings, Evelyn and Dave. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Reka Geerlings; and his siblings, Harvey, Robert, Ruth, Arloa, Rose, Marian, Bob, Ethel, and Carolyn.
Memorial visitation will be held Saturday, June 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Faith Reformed Church, 220 W. Central Ave., Zeeland. A funeral service will follow from noon to 1 p.m. at Faith Reformed Church, with lunch afterward.
Harverd Hoekje, 100
Harverd J. Hoekje, 100, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Harv was born March 7, 1926, in Overisel to Henry and Hendrieka (Tien) Hoekje. He graduated from Holland High School, and later served during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army. Harv worked for Big Dutchman and then at Hamilton Farm Bureau hardware store until his retirement.
Harv married Eileen Lampen and they raised their daughter Patricia. Harv and Eileen were members of Overisel Reformed Church and later Hamilton Reformed Church where Harv served on the consistory. Eileen preceded him in death in 1982, and his sister, Beatrice Ter Haar, died in 2024.
Harv met Evelyn Hoeve and they married in November of 1983. In retirement, Harv and Evelyn enjoyed golfing, biking, reading, and spending the winter months in Tuscon, Ariz. Harv and Evelyn also were stained glass artists, and did several stained glass projects.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Evelyn (Hoeve) Hoekje; daughter, Patricia Nederveld; in-laws, Joyce Stempfly, Gloria Culver, Judy Hoeve, Don Lampen, and Dorothy Van Den Beldt; and many extended family members.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Hamilton Reformed Church, 3554 Lincoln Rd. (M-40), Hamilton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Bert Van Dis, 89
Lambertus "Bert" Philip Van Dis, 89, was called home by his loving Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
Bert was born on April 18, 1937, to Benjamin and Irene Van Dis. He was raised in East Saugatuck and attended its small schoolhouse. He served in the U.S. Army for a time and came home to marry his sweetheart Karyl. Bert worked at Buss Machine Works and Prince Corporation as a machinist and diecast operator, making many lifelong friends.
Bert’s church family is at Fourteenth Street Christian Reformed Church. Bert cherished everyone there, taking great delight in reading and reflecting on The Scriptures for direction. He loved his family and the great-grandchildren called him "Grandpa Jellybean".
Bert was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Karyl (Achterhof); great-grandson, Marek Brink; twin brother, Benjamin Jr. Van Dis; sisters-in-law, Lois Van Dis, Bev Fryling and Pat DeWitt; and brother-in-law, Jerry Fryling.
He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy (Mike) Nyhof and Ellen (Todd) Smeenge; grandchildren, Rachel (Jonathan) Negley, Matthew (Sarah) Nyhof, Jamin (Jessica) Nyhof, Candace (John) Detrick, Lydia (Lance) Brink, Angela (Boaz) Nobel, Janelle (Matthew) Kelly, Evan (Shelby) Smeenge and Annika Smeenge; 33 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Pauline (Daryl) Wabeke; sisters-in-law, Vicki Sterken and Cris (Glenn) Vander Ploeg; and many nieces and nephews.
Bert's family thanks his caregivers at Appledorn North, Quincy Place and Hospice of Holland for their kindness and friendship.
A private family service, with Rev. Benj Petroelje officiating, will be held at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Bible League and Hospice of Holland.
Kristi Lemmen, 73
Kristi Joy (Schaap) Lemmen, 73, passed away Sunday, June 21, 2026, in Holland.
Born on July 28, 1952, Kristi was a lifelong Holland resident, a founding member of Rose Park Baptist Church, and the co-owner of Lemon Fresh Cleaners with her husband Roger. She loved knitting and sewing, and she found special joy in the blooming of rhododendrons and the flight of hummingbirds.
Kristi is survived by her husband, Roger Lemmen; children, Tami and Jeff Parks, and Tom and Alana Lemmen; grandchildren, Joshua Parks and Bethany Cok; Jonathan Parks and Chloe Looman; and Jayden, Conner, and Audrey Lemmen; siblings, Jack and Traci Schaap; and her siblings-in-law, Bonnie and Mark Meengs, Sally and Tom Fosdick, and Cindy Collins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ken and Marlene (Elgersma) Schaap.
A visitation is scheduled for 3 p.m. today with a funeral service to follow at 6 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Ruth MacDonald, 74
Ruth Ann MacDonald, 74, of Holland, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Holland Hospital.
Ruth grew up in the Zeeland and Allendale areas and graduated from Zeeland High School in 1969. She was kind and considerate, faithful to her friends, and deeply loved the Lord. Ruth was also passionate in her love of nature, but especially appreciated flowers and sheep. She was a member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jack MacDonald; children, Kurt MacDonald, Wendy Brown and Benjamin (Mark) MacDonald; grandchildren, Trevor MacDonald, Bri (Dakota) Simpson and Elizabeth (Dan) Unglenieks-Ploeg; great-grandchildren, Emma and Ava MacDonald; siblings, Paul Vander Ploeg, Thomas (Mary) Vander Ploeg, Peter (Heather) Vander Ploeg, James (Mary) Vander Ploeg, Lois Biber, Mary (Joe) Durant, Debra Vander Ploeg, John (Robert) Vander Ploeg, Joseph (Michelle) Vander Ploeg, David (Melody) Vander Ploeg and Samuel (Jan) Vander Ploeg; sister-in-law, Mary MacDonald; and many other extended family members.
Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St., Holland, with Rev. Philip Kok officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, June 29, from 5 to 7 p.m., also at Graafschap CRC.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gateway Mission and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
David Ahrenholz, 81
David Ahrenholz, 81, of Bellingham, Wash., formerly of Zeeland, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's.
David was born on May 24, 1945 at home on the farm in Renville County, Minn. to Lubert and Thresa Ahrenholz. He joined his older brother Lyle and welcomed siblings Linda, Steve and Sue in the following years.
David lived in that farmhouse until leaving for Dordt College in 1963. While there, he met the love of his life, Wilhelmina Vreeman. They were married in 1968. He then graduated with a bachelor's in elementary education.
David began work as a teacher in Zeeland, and welcomed his first child, Christine, there in 1970. While in Michigan, he earned a master's degree in elementary education. From there, the young family moved to Mount Vernon, Wash. and welcomed Jonathan and Jeremy to the family. In 1978 it was off to Bellflower, Calif. where he became the principal at Valley Christian and later Calvary Christian schools. Jeffrey was born in 1979 and the family was complete.
David went on to earn a second master's in education administration. In 1987 the family moved back to the Pacific Northwest where David took a principal position at Bellingham Christian. He later helped found Evergreen Christian, was principal of Lummi Tribal School and at the end of his career worked as a case manager for Lummi Children's Services.
In retirement, David volunteered at Mount Baker Theater, Whatcom Chorale and at the CTK Foodshare and Farm. In his later years, he faced the challenges of Alzheimer's with grit and determination. He dutifully nurtured his wife as she struggled through the same disease. He faced those challenges with a gentle and positive spirit.
David is survived by his children, Jonathan and Brie Ahrenholz of Bellingham; Jeremy and Rachel Ahrenholz of Perth, Australia, and Jeffrey and Nicole Ahrenholz of Mercer Island, Wash.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings Lyle Ahrenholz (Ardi), Steve Ahrenholz (Donna) and Sue Wissellink (Al). He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilhelmina (2025); daughter, Christine (2012); parents, Lubert (1968) and Thresa (2017); and sister, Linda (1994).
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Highgate Senior Living in Bellingham and the hospice staff. Both of whom supported David with love and dignity during his journey with Alzheimer's.
A service honoring David's life will be held on Friday, Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. at Hope in Christ Church, 710 E. Sunset Dr., Bellingham, Wash.
The family invites donations to LION Outreach International or the Alzheimer's Association.
Linda Sal, 80
Linda Sal, 80, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Linda was born May 14, 1946, in Holland to James and Jeanette (Alferink) Walters. Linda graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1964, and attended Western Michigan University.
Linda met Stan Sal and they married in 1966. Linda and Stan owned and operated Tulip City Vending for 16 years before retiring. Linda and Stan were also members of Trinity Reformed Church.
Stan preceded Linda in death in 2021. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mary and Janice; and brothers-in-law, Al Sal, Ron Sal, and Jack Pagel.
She is survived by her children, Brian and Sandra Sal, and Karen and Jeff Walcott; grandchildren, Nicholas Sal, Kaitlynn Sal and Troy Walcott; brother, Ron and Cindy Walters; in-laws, Earl Olgers, Nancy Sal, Jan and Jerad Syswerda, and Larry and Sue Sal; and many extended family members.
A visitation was held Sunday, June 21 at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Interment was in Bentheim Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Reformed Church or Harbor Humane.
