Kenneth Boeve, 95
Kenneth Dell (Ken) Boeve, 95, of Holland, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
Ken was born on Nov. 15, 1930, in Holland to Esther and Richard Boeve. A lifelong resident in Holland, he was a quiet, hardworking, loving man that enjoyed his family and life, including biking, gardening, painting, traveling, and watching sports, especially the Detroit Tigers and college basketball.
Ken married his first love, Lois Kolean, on June 16, 1950. He was a faithful, caring husband for 53 years until Lois passed away in 2003. Together they had five children: Richard (Gundi) Boeve, Thomas (Mary) Boeve, Timothy (Diane) Boeve, Jane (Eric) Roessing, and Kevin (Elizabeth) Boeve; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Then at age 82 he married his second love, Marge Pugh, and they enjoyed 11 years of life together until Marge passed away in 2025. This added five stepchildren to his life, Victor (Lonna) Pugh, Randall (Gail) Pugh, Mical (Jennifer) Pugh, Christy (Dale) TenElshof, and Amy (Tom) Mulder, and numerous more step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
Ken worked numerous jobs throughout his life, but his favorite was being head custodian at Jefferson Elementary School for more than 17 years. He loved the students, teachers, and principal and kept the school building very clean and orderly. He received high honor by the staff at the time of his retirement for his excellence in workmanship and character.
Ken was a longtime member at Maplewood Reformed Church and loved serving his Lord as a deacon many times. In recent years he had transferred his membership to Graafschap Christian Reformed Church.
He is survived by his brother Ronald (Sunny) Boeve; sisters Marilyn (Carroll) Seats and Sandra Lester; sisters-in-law Eleanor Boeve, Yvonne Dryer, Irene Gunnink, and Alma Worley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will take place at Monday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St., Holland, with an hour of visitation held prior to the service.
Chester Haveman, 83
Chester “Chet” Haveman, 83, of Hudsonville, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
Chet was born Oct. 10, 1942, in Blendon Township, to Arnold and Hattie (Holstege) Haveman. Chet graduated from Unity Christian High School and served his country in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Chet worked in concrete construction at Ted Miedema Concrete for 50 years until he retired.
On June 19, 1969, Chet married Sharon Prince. Chet and Sharon raised their children in Hudsonville, and Chet was a lifelong member of Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church.
Chet is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sharon; their children, Janna and Joel Huisken of Grandville, and Michael and Heidi Haveman of Jenison; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Trevor and Kaitlin Huisken (Elise), Mitchell and Leah Huisken (expecting in February), Kelly Huisken, Emily Huisken, Ethan and Olivia Haveman (Edison), and Darcie and Carson Lehmann; siblings, Will and Sue Haveman, Vern and Mary Haveman, and Ruth and Dale Kraker; in-laws, Douglas and Mary Jane Prince; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Haveman.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church, 5101 Beechtree Ave., Hudsonville. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m., also at Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church. Private interment will be in Blendon Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Protestant Reformed Special Education.
Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Michael Vander Wilk, 78
Michael Vander Wilk, 78, of Holland, formerly of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
Mike was born in Zeeland on Jan. 30, 1948, to John and Elsie (Blauwkamp) Vander Wilk. The Vander Wilk Family are longtime founding members of First Baptist Church of Zeeland. Mike was the third-born child of the six Vander Wilk children.
Mike graduated from Zeeland High School and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Germany during his time of service. He worked at Howard Miller Clock Company for several years. Mike was also an avid golfer, bowler, and a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elsie; and siblings, Glenn and Nancy. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Peterson and Barbara (Vander Wilk) Davis; brother, David and Kristi Vander Wilk and extended family members.
A funeral with military honors will be held Saturday, Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 246 W. Main Ave., Zeeland. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Zeeland.
Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Ronald Geschwendt, 88
Dr. Ronald L. Geschwendt, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, mentor, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at the age of 88.
Ronald was born Oct. 19, 1937, in Kalamazoo and was a proud graduate of Hope College, class of 1959. His life was shaped by a deep faith and a calling to serve others. He continued his education in preparation for a lifetime of ministry, earning a bachelor of divinity from Western Theological Seminary in 1962, a master of theology from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1971, and a doctor of ministry from Westminster Seminary in 1983.
Dr. Geschwendt spent more than four decades of ministry within the Reformed Church in America (RCA). He brought his unique gift for fostering vibrant, forward-looking church families, along with his enthusiasm and warm pastoral heart, to several West Michigan congregations, always with his beloved wife, Jan, by his side. His early ministry included shepherding the growth and expansion of Fair Haven Reformed Church in Jenison and North Park Reformed Church in Kalamazoo.
He went on to serve as senior pastor of First Reformed Church of Zeeland throughout the 1970's and 1980's, where he and Jan raised their family. Later, he ministered at Zion Reformed Church in Grandville before concluding his full-time pastoral career at First Reformed Church of Grand Haven.
A gifted communicator and dedicated mentor to pastors and church leaders, Dr. Geschwendt balanced a deep reverence for Scripture with a passion for making its message meaningful and accessible to people in every season of life. His ministry extended far beyond the pulpit. Through his work with Words of Hope and his contributions to the Sunday School Guide, he continued to share the message of Scripture with people well beyond the walls of the churches he served.
One of the most meaningful chapters of his later ministry was his work with the Commissioned Pastor Program for the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes. As coordinator of the program, Ron devoted himself to identifying, equipping, encouraging, and mentoring men and women who felt called to serve the church. He had a special gift for recognizing potential in others and helping them develop the confidence, knowledge, and spiritual foundation needed to answer that call.
Ronald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Janice "Jan" Geschwendt, who died in July 2023. Jan was his partner in every sense of the word - his greatest supporter and constant companion throughout their life together. With her quick wit, outgoing spirit, and wonderful gift for making people feel welcome, Jan brought laughter, friendship, and fun wherever they went. She stood beside Ron throughout his years of ministry - typing sermons, matching his tempo on the organ, keeping everyone's grammar in check, and cooking countless batches of bluegill. Together, they opened their home and their lives to countless people along the way.
He is lovingly remembered by his children, Mark (Carla) Geschwendt and Mark's daughter, Marisa; David (Cami) Geschwendt and their children, Joshua (Kate), Zachary, Tristan, and Cameron; and Amy Farnsley and her children, Paige, Nicole, Griffen, and Meredith; great-grandchildren Lila and Linc Lee, children of Joshua and Kate; sisters, Marlene Reed, Janet McKnee, and Bonnie (Dick) Dykehouse; extended family, lifelong friends, and the many people whose lives he influenced through his ministry.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Arvin and Genevieve Geschwendt; and brother, Vernon Geschwendt.
A service celebrating Ronald's life was held Saturday, Aug. 22, at First Reformed Church, 301 Washington Ave., Grand Haven. Burial was in Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven.
Memorial contributions may be made to Words of Hope at woh.org or by mail to 700 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Joyce Mulder, 84
Joyce Mulder, 84, of Zeeland passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, James and Tillie Mulder; and her sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Andrew DeKam.
Joyce was a lifelong member of First Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland. She enjoyed a long career in the banking world, first at First Michigan Bank and then Huntington Bank where she retired from. She was a gentle and quiet soul.
She is survived by her nephew and nieces, Don and Kyong-Sun DeKam, Brenda DeKam, and Jeanna Spoors.
Memorial contributions may be given to Zeeland Christian School.
Timothy Owen, 68
Timothy Dale Owen, known to many as Tim, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 in Holland at the age of 68.
Tim was born on Dec. 7, 1957, in Gary, Ind. He was a Christian man who sought to live with humility, devotion, and gratitude. He carried himself with a generous spirit, a warm sense of humor, and a loving heart that touched everyone blessed to know him.
Tim graduated from Crown Point High School in 1976, and throughout his life he remained a hardworking and dedicated man. Tim retired from Mittal Steel in 2025 after many years of faithful service. He was respected by those who worked alongside him and appreciated for the quiet strength and dependability he brought to his work.
Tim was also an accomplished musician, and music was one of the great joys of his life. He could play any string instrument put in his hands, and his gift was matched by his passion. Music was not merely something he performed, but something he lived and loved. It was a part of who he was, and it brought him joy as well as joy to those who listened. His devotion to music was matched only by his devotion to his family, and both were central to the way he lived each day.
Family was the heart of Tim’s life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Theresa; his sons, Steven and his wife Brittney, and Peter; sister, Becky; and grandchildren, Emerson, Elsie, Everleigh, and Emma. He treasured his role as husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and he found great happiness in the time he spent with those he loved most.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Naomi Owen, whose memory remained important to him throughout his life. He carried forward the lessons and love he received from them, and his own life became a reflection of the family values he held dear. Though he is no longer with us in body, his legacy lives on in the family he loved, the music he shared, and the countless memories he created with those around him.
A private graveside service for family and close friends was to take place at Zeeland - Felch Street Cemetery.
