David Zessin, 68
David Zessin, age 68, of Holland, died suddenly on Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Dave was born Aug. 28, 1956 in Detroit to the late Rosemary and Walter Zessin. He grew up in Redford Township as one of five children. His older sister Kathy, twin younger sisters Laurie and Lynn (deceased in 2019) and younger brother John grew up helping with the family dairy business and attending school and Mass at St. Valentine’s. One of his childhood highlights was caddying at Western Country Club for Detroit superstars Al Kaline and Gordie Howe.
Dave graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1974. He then moved to Holland to attend Hope College, where he was captain of the football team and was named All-MIAA as a center. Most importantly at Hope, he met his wife Jan during freshman orientation when they were both just 17 years old. They married shortly after graduation in 1978 and enjoyed 46 great years of marriage.
Dave and Jan’s life together first took them to Toledo, Ohio, where Dave attended law school at the University of Toledo. Dave passed the Michigan Bar exam in 1981 and was soon hired by Swaney Thomas Law Firm in Holland. Dave grew his law practice, eventually moving to Cunningham Dalman, where he worked on many important cases and took on several leadership roles in the legal community.
Dave and Jan had three boys, Tim (1981), Joe (1983) and Pete (1988). His family was his true passion and he was the biggest fan of his kids, coaching their baseball, soccer, basketball and football teams. His other passion was the Holland community, where he became a true pillar.
Dave started Holland Little League in 1993 and was heavily involved in that organization for many years. He was also a founding board member of the Holland Boys and Girls Club and president of the Holland Athletic Boosters. He was a loyal member of First Presbyterian Church for 43 years, serving as an elder as well as serving the church in many other capacities.
Later in life, Dave was blessed with nine grandchildren. Tim (Jenn) with Anna and Will; Joe (Lauren) with Lily, Riley, Brady and Daniel; Pete (Kayla) with Bennett, Brynn and Emmy.
A memorial service will be on Saturday, April 19 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St., Holland. Visitation will be on Friday, April 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made to Holland Little League and the Holland Public Schools Education Foundation (HEF).
Barbara Reuschel, 77
Barbara Lynn Reuschel, 77, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Barbara Lynn Diekema was born Dec. 8, 1947. She already had an older sister, Sharon, an older brother, Jim, and soon, a younger brother, Larry, followed. A busy family of six and they were just beginning their lives together, but the family was dealt a hard blow when her dad died when she was just three years old.
After graduating from Holland High School, Barbara found work as a secretary and had a good friend she went to the Holland State Park beach with one warm, sunny day. The two young women were walking along, laughing and talking, and their legs (so we were told) caught the eye of two young men. One was Don Reuschel and he pulled up alongside them in the roadster, a convertible car his dad had built, and their relationship began. They soon married and had four young children of their own: Chad, Lisa, Amber and Tiffany.
She is survived by her children, Chad (Barbie) Reuschel, Lisa (Brian) Bremer, Amber (Brian) Vanderzalm and Tiffany (Jon) Price; 17 grandchildren; sister, Sharon (Tom) Lawson; brother, Larry Diekema; and extended family members.
Visitation to celebrate Barbara’s life with us and her new life in heaven, will be Saturday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. There will be no service, as Barbara chose to be cremated. This is a time to stop in, talk, tell stories, laugh, and smile. The louder and more cheerful, the better. Children are welcome. If you would like, we welcome you to wear something yellow (earrings, a necklace, shirt, etc.) to celebrate the day as Barbara’s favorite color was yellow.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Sherwin Nagelkirk, 96
Sherwin “Sonny” Nagelkirk, 96, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, in 2016.
Sonny started driving trucks at the age of 14, and then proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Japan. After his time in the service, he started Nagelkirk Farmers Market in Marquette. Sonny continued to drive trucks for many years into his retirement.
He is survived by his children, Mike Nagelkirk, Steve and Elizabeth “Sam” Nagelkirk, and Mark and Barb Nagelkirk; grandchildren, Ali ‘Nagelkirk’ Coley, Jeff Nagelkirk, Brie ‘Nagelkirk’ Long, Jessica and Kelly McCormick, Liza Nagelkirk, Kat and Kevin Thomsen, Jordan and Amy Nagelkirk, Christian and Alex Sherbinow, Jenise and Clayton Maas; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, George Pierson.
A private family graveside service with military honors will be held at Zeeland Cemetery.
Robert Eisen, 71
Robert “Bob” Eisen, 71, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
He was a member of Niekerk Christian Reformed Church and drove truck for Haworth for 47 years.
Bob is survived by his wife of just shy of 50 years, Debra; children and grandchildren, Mathew (Amy) Eisen (Levi, Silas, Jude, Asher, Willa), Jason (Audrey) Eisen (Eli, Lily, Anna); siblings, Marilyn (Jim) Woltjer, Wayne (Linda) Eisen, Beth (Dave) Scroedter, Allen (Kim) Eisen, Arlan (Linda) Eisen and Mark (Lucy) Eisen; in-laws, Randall (Beth) Michmerhuizen; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 16 at Niekerk Christian Reformed Church, 545 Country Club Rd., Holland with Rev. John Nyitray officiating. Burial was in West Drenthe Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Niekerk Christian Reformed Church or Hospice of Holland.
Ellen Everse, 76
Ellen Jean Everse, age 76, of Holland, passed away on Friday April 11, 2025.
Ellen was born on Jan. 30, 1949, in Holland to Gordon and Alma Ver Hulst. Ellen graduated from Hamilton high School. She met the love of her life, Lee Everse, who she married in 1969, and spent the next 55 years together.
Ellen enjoyed many things including crafts, boating, and traveling to Florida. She especially loved spending time with family that included pizza nights and playing games together. Ellen was a fighter who fought cancer on three separate occasions of her life. Her graciousness and thoughtfulness during those times will be remembered.
Ellen is survived by her husband, Lee Everse; son, Mike (Holly) Everse; daughter, Michelle Putzel; grandchildren, Andrew (Hope) Everse, Ben Everse, Sofya Putzel, Sema Putzel and Aya Putzel; great-grandchildren, Willow and Oliver Everse.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Alma Ver Hulst.
A funeral service for Ellen will be held Friday, April 18 at 12 noon at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon the day of the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.
Vern Barkel, 98
Vern Alvah Barkel, 98, passed away on Friday April 11, 2025, at home surrounded by family.
Vern was born on May 23, 1926 in Overisel to Silas and Sadie Barkel. He was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, where he served in the Battle of the Bulge. He was also part of Patton’s Third Army.
Vern married Clarine Gunneman in 1965. After she passed, he married Joyce Gallop Barkel in 1990. They were married for 35 years. Vern was a hard worker; he was a self-employed plaster contractor for 65 years.
Vern was a long-time member of Community Reformed Church and Calvary Reformed Church. He was also a lifetime member of VFW Post 2144 in Holland, the American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.
Vern is survived by his wife of 35 years, Joyce Barkel; children, Rosemary (Bob) Harvey and Mark Uhan; grandchildren, Alissa (Kevin) Maul, Ryan (Liz) Harvey, Allison Kaatz and Heather Kaatz; four great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Susan Barkel; and many nieces and nephews.
Vern was preceded in death by: his parents, Silas and Sadie Barkel; first wife, Clarine Gunneman, children, Ross Barkel and Rodney Barkel; sister, Elgene (Henry) VandenBrink; brothers, Alden (Hester) Barkel, Norm (Thelma) Barkel, and Elmer Barkel.
A funeral service with military honors for Vern will be held at 3 p.m. today at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch St., Zeeland, with visitation one hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland or VFW Post 2144.
Frank Brummel, 98
Frank I. Brummel, 98, of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, he exemplified courage and commitment, both in his military service and his subsequent life as a farmer. He also used his talents in various other employment.
Frank was a master tinkerer, with a knack for repairing old lawn mowers and bringing broken things back to life. His hands were as skilled as his heart was generous, reflecting his deep faith as a devoted member of Third Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland and a former member of Drenthe Christian Reformed Church and Vriesland Reformed Church, where he served as an elder and Sunday school teacher.
Frank is survived by his daughter, Elaine and Russ Schamper; son, Eric Brummel; daughter-in-law, Merry Brummel; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; stepchildren: Bryan and Joann Slenk, Jim and Robin Slenk, and Barb Slenk; 4 step-grandchildren; as well as extended family members.
Frank was preceded in death by his first wife, Gladys Brummel, in 2001; his second wife, Margaret Slenk Brummel, in 2011; his son, Allen Brummel, in 2024; and his sister, Marion Klokkert, in 2005.
A private family service is planned. Burial will be in West Drenthe Cemetery. Arrangements are by Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland.
Concepcion Gonzalez, 77
Concepcion “Connie” Costillo Gonzalez, 77, of Holland, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital.
Connie was the daughter of Hipolito and Filomena Sanchez. She loved anything to do with Elvis Presley, fishing, crocheting, and sewing. Her granddaughter, Mercedes (Genaro and Mary) and Josette took care of her during her fight with dementia and tried making the time memorable for her. She will be dearly missed by everyone in her life.
She is survived by her children, Chris and Brent VanOss, Mary and Michael McEylea, Josette, Genaro and Mary Gonzalez and Dustin Gonzalez; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A prayer that she recited quite often was Matthew 6:9-13: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
Poem: “Close your pretty eyes, no more tears, just go and rest, let your soul lie peacefully, we know you did your best.”
No funeral services were planned.
