Sue Kennedy, 87
Sue Ellen Kennedy, 87, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Sue was born in Grand Rapids on May 27, 1938, to Emma and Earl Kennedy. She was known for her lifelong signature laugh and loved being the “cool” mom and fun aunt. Sue was one of nine in the ironically witty Kennedy clan. She was also a caring grandmother and proud to be known as the “Cat Lady.”
Sue’s primary occupation was assistant office manager and accountant, but Sue also served as a teacher’s aide at West Ottawa Public Schools in the ‘70s. She loved to read, and her family’s favorite place on earth was the family cottage near Big Star Lake, where they shared many great times with family and friends over the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Hartsock; brother, Tom; and sisters, Irene, Margaret, Bonnie, and Kathie.
She is survived by her brothers, Chuck and Dotty Kennedy and Dan and Lynn Kennedy; sister, Nancy Kennedy; daughters, Nancy and Jim Mullins, Beth and Matt Velderman, Loretta and Andy Morrison; favorite son, Steve and Virginia Kenemer; six grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
An open house to celebrate Sue’s life will be held today from 4 to 6 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Jamestown), 2371 Riley St., Hudsonville.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Harbor Humane Society.
William Gort, 57
William “Bill” Gort, 57, of Holland, died Monday, June 16, 2025.
Bill was a member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church and was a 1986 graduate of Unity Christian High School. He enjoyed playing on the church softball teams. He always thought it was special when he could take day trips with his mom while she was still able. He was also an avid Detroit Tigers fan and was able to attend several games with his family.
He is survived by his siblings, Tim and Lisa Gort, Cindy and Kevin VerMerris; nieces and nephews, Zachary and Annalisa Gort (Georgina), Shelby and Nathan Reimink, Allyssa Thornton (Sofiya) and Nicole VerMerris; aunts, uncle, and several cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and MaryAnn Gort.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. today at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave. Holland. A time of fellowship will follow the service.
Bruce Homkes, 84
Bruce Eldon Homkes, 84, of Overisel, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025.
Born July 8, 1940 to Russell and Lois Homkes, he developed a strong work ethic and love for farming at a young age, growing up on the southside of Holland.
In 1969, he bought a farm in South Overisel with his family to pursue his passion. After many years in a tractor seat, he moved to a semi-truck seat to deliver feed for a local farm. With health issues came another seat, and that was in his pickup, going for coffee and visiting with friends.
Bruce served for more than 30 years as a volunteer firefighter for Overisel Township and worked at the township transfer station up until 2023. He was a man of many words and always loved to sit and talk.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice; children: Kurt Homkes of Hamilton, Julie and Greg Engelsman of Overisel, Brooke and Shawn Anderson, and Erika Homkes of Holland; grandchildren, Kurtis (Alyssa) Homkes, Cody Engelsman, Olivia (Cameron Kennedy) Engelsman, Eric (Megan) Mathews, Jeremy Mathews, Shaylen, Ethan, Westin, and Gideon Anderson; great-grandchildren, Jagger and Presley Homkes, and Wren Engelsman; siblings, Larry (Carol) Homkes of Hamilton, Rick (Darlene) Homkes of Russiaville, Ind. and Karen (Merle) VanderSluis of Holland; sisters-in-law, Mary Alice (Ron) Homkes-Dean of Ionia and Mira Klaver of Zeeland; many nephews, nieces, and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Homkes; his parents, Russell and Lois; brother, Forrest Homkes; and sister and brother-in-law Marilee and Paul Vroon.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 at Overisel Reformed Church (West Campus) 4724 142nd Ave., Holland. Visitation will be at the church prior to the service, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery.
The Homkes family would like to thank the staff at Cortland of Holland and Hospice of Holland for their care and support in Bruce’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Holland.
Joyce Birkholz, 74
Joyce Arleen (Sprick) Birkholz passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Joyce was born on Feb. 28, 1951, in Holland to Stanley and Helene Sprick. She loved her family and friends dearly and was a light to everyone around her. Her smile and endless joy were contagious to everyone who met her. She loved to travel, taking many trips over the last 10 years of her retirement.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, William Lee Birkholz, in 2015, and her daughter, Kristie Emmons, earlier this year.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Tammie (Jason Nyikes); grandchildren, Bryce and Chloe Nyikes; siblings, Bob (Char Sprick), Jim (Dee Sprick), Virg (Bob Condit), Ruthie (Lynn Sparks), and Judy Essenburg; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Corewell Hospice for taking such good care of her.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Joyce’s life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. A visitation time will immediately follow the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Holland.
Memorial donations in Joyce’s honor can be given to Corewell Hospice.
Andrew Munschy II, 44
Andrew Munschy II, 44, of Holland, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Andrew worked at ITC for 17 years. He was born on Sept. 12, 1980, in Ionia to Andrew and Anne (Slocum) Munschy. He married Phaedra Beth Burger on Sept. 4, 2004, in Holland.
Andrew was also known by his family growing up as “Bubba” and by his close friends as “Munch.” He was an avid Detroit Lions and Star Wars fan. Other hobbies include cooking, golfing, listening to music, playing cards, and spending time with loved ones. Andrew was very family-oriented and loved his stepchildren and his dogs like his own.
Survivors include his wife, Phaedra of Holland; stepchildren, Tyler Burger of Holland, Payton Burger of Rochester Hills, Amber Burger and partner Josh Hall of St. Clair Shores; sister, Amber Munschy of Holland; nephew, Killian Hall of Holland; grandmother, Connie Munschy of Ionia; and father, Andrew Munschy of Ionia.
Andrew was proceeded in death by his mother, Anne Munschy, in 2012.
A memorial visitation will take place on Friday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Humane Society.
Marcia Washburn, 82
Marcia Ellen Washburn (nee Bosch), 82, of Holland, died on Friday, June 13, 2025.
Marcia was born on Sept. 30, 1942 and was a lifelong resident of Holland. She was a 1960 graduate of Holland High School and attended Davenport College.
Marcia loved Jesus, her family and crafting - creating art in many different forms from sewing to painting. She contributed her beautiful singing voice to the choir at Christ Memorial Church. She had a knack for zapping you with zingers with her quick wit which could always bring a laugh to any situation. In recent years, she enjoyed almost daily trips to Kollen Park where she was always looking for whales.
Marcia is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Stewart; children, Susan (Steve) Hardman and Steve (Jessie) Washburn; grandchildren, Joel (Arlet), Kira, MJ, Macky, Quinlan and Eleanor; one great-grandchild, Jaelynn; siblings, Keith (Diane) Bosch, Alan (Jayne) Bosch, Kathy Linden and Mark (Genny) Bosch; in-laws, Barb Davidson, David Washburn and George (Carol) Washburn; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willis and Genevieve Bosch, and sister, Leslie (Robert) Groen.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 17 at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423 or Be Nice, 160 68th St. SW, Suite 120, Grand Rapids, MI 49548.
James Haspas, 97
James D. Haspas, age 97, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Jim was born in Lansing on Jan. 19, 1928 and honorably served our country at the end of World War II in the Air Force. He was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church and lived a Christ-centered life, always leading by example. Jim was happily married for more than 70 years to his wife Elsie, whom he married on Oct. 11, 1952 in Lansing.
Jim moved his family to Holland in 1964. He was a very diligent and hardworking employee of Elzinga & Volkers and their construction management division for more than 30 years. He enjoyed boating and over the years made many friends at Eldean Shipyard. He believed his greatest accomplishments were in teaching young men the construction trades and in being a role model for his sons, grandsons, and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Haspas is survived by sons, James G. Haspas and Gregory Haspas; grandchildren, Jeffrey Allen, Steven James and David Joseph; and great-grandchildren Taylor, Dylan, Ari, Wyatt, Zara, and Kyrah Joy.
A public graveside ceremony and interment in Graafschap Cemetery took place on Wednesday, June 18.
Randy Knoper, 68
Randy Knoper, 68, of Hudsonville passed away Friday, June 13, 2025.
He is survived by his sister, Lonna and Ed Holman; his niece and nephew, Cara and Tim Koomen, and Darin Holman; his great-nephews and great-great-niece and nephews, Derek Koomen and Gage Westhouse (Ellery, Coleson, and Layf).
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Bernie and Ruth Knoper, and his great-niece, Amanda Westhouse.
A private family graveside service will take place at Blendon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland.
James Gebben, 70
James Edward Gebben, 70, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
James was born on Dec. 27, 1954. No funeral services are planned at this time. Arrangements are by Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Muriel Antonakes, 92
Muriel Joy Antonakes, 92, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Muriel was born in Chicago and along with her late husband, Andy Antonakes, raised their children in Warren, Mich. Upon their retirement, Muriel and Andy spent their summers in Saugatuck and winters in Clearwater, Fla. Muriel loved to sing in her church choir and for many years she volunteered at an elementary school in Clearwater.
The last few years of Muriel’s life, she resided at the Royal Atrium Inn in Zeeland. She spent her days reading, playing bingo, participating in group activities, and gazing out at her beautiful view.
She is survived by her children, Steve and Diane; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Cremation has taken place. No services were held.
