Lois Van Dis, 86
Lois (Loie) Ann Van Dis, 86, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Loie was born on June 6, 1939 in Holland. She graduated from Holland Christian Schools and worked for several businesses in Holland throughout her lifetime including DeWaard Interiors, which was established by her parents.
In the 60’s Loie served as the Ottawa County Chapter president for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. This cause was dear to Ben and Loie’s heart because two of their children were born with a rare form of MD.
Through the years of personal health struggles Loie persevered at encouraging others. Her times in the hospitals offered opportunities to reach out to the staff who cared for her.
Loie leaned on her faith and God’s promises throughout her life. She became very close to the ministry of Joni and Friends, which helps children with disabilities. Joni Eareckson Tada’s writings taught Loie deep lessons of faith even in the midst of pain or trial.
Loie was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Van Dis Jr., who passed away in May; children, Douglas and Jeanne; parents, Louis and Alma DeWaard; in-laws, Ben and Irene Van Dis; sister, Elaine Van Dam; and sister-in-law, Karyl Van Dis.
Loie is survived by her children, Laura and Mark Ebbers, Steve and Nancy Van Dis; grandchildren, Joel and Kara Ebbers, Anna and Matthew Beck, Leah and Joshua Mugford, Steven Guy Van Dis and Wilson Van Dis; eight great-grandchildren: Braeden and Emma Ebbers, Cora, Oliver and Bella Beck, Laura, Andrew and Ben Mugford; siblings, Jim and Gloria DeWaard, Jack DeWaard, Bertus Van Dis, Pauline and Daryl Wabeke; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral is planned for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15 at Central Wesleyan Chapel, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. Use Entrance G or D to enter. Fellowship with the family will take place immediately following the service.
Burial to take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Loie’s honor may be given to the ministry of Joni & Friends at joni andfriends.org or by mail to 30009 Ladyface Ct., Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
The family wishes to express thanks to the Hospice of Holland team, as well as the staff at Quincy Place.
Alison Wingerter, 70
Alison Wingerter, 70, of Overisel, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
Alison was born in Berkley, Calif., on June 7, 1955, to Jim and Lois (Deobald) Legg. The Legg family moved to Terre Haute, Ind., in 1957. She graduated from Terre Haute South High School and later from Indiana State University with a nursing degree.
Alison met Ronald Wingerter and they married on Dec. 3, 1977. Alison worked as a registered nurse until her four daughters were born and she homeschooled all four from 1986-2009. Alison and Ron were the caretakers in the Mahseh Retreat Center after their daughters became adults. They moved to Overisel in February 2025.
Alison loved flowers and flower gardening. Every home the Wingerter family lived in had a yard and landscape filled with flowers. The Mahseh Retreat Center had a particularly beautiful floral landscape that Alison designed and maintained.
In 2003 Alison was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She was a faithful participant in Rock Steady Boxing throughout her journey in South Bend, Ind., Plymouth, Ind., Rochester, Ind., and Holland.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ron; children and grandchildren: Heidi Beauchamp (Judah, Hunter), Erin Wingerter, Rachel and Eddie Mayhew (Ian, Abigail, Isaac, Fiona), Kendra Wingerter and Trey Lydick; mother, Lois Legg; siblings, Leslie and John Carlson, Merle Legg; in-laws, Rob and Deb Wingerter, Randy Wingerter, Rene and Steve Buchanan; and extended family members.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15 at the Overisel Reformed Church Ministry Center, 4724 142nd Ave., Holland. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. today in the fellowship hall of Overisel Ministry Center. Interment will be in Overisel Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rock Steady Boxing.
Arrangements by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Shirley Helmink, 98
Shirley Helmink, 98, of Holland, passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. A graveside service will follow the visitation at 1 p.m. at Graafschap Cemetery in Holland.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Central Park Reformed Church, 614 Myrtle Ave., Holland, MI 49423.
June Visscher, 90
Dillie June Veach Teusink Visscher, 90, passed away Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at Resthaven Maplewoods, under the care of Hospice of Holland.
June was born in Manila, Ark. on Oct. 7, 1934, to Raydo and Ruby (Lewis) Veach. She was a graduate of Manila High School, with additional education at Memphis State University.
June worked in the office at Camfield Fiberglass in Zeeland for many years, volunteered at Evergreen Commons and was a member of Pillar Church in Holland.
June followed her parents to Holland in the early 1950’s, where she met and married Paul Teusink. Initially they remained in Holland to start their family, moved to Arkansas for a few years, then returned to Holland. They had one daughter, Debra. June married Roger H. Visscher in 1987.
June was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Freddie and Clifford Veach; sister-in-law, Norma Veach; niece, Carol Jehlen; and husband, Roger Visscher.
June is survived by her daughter and son, Debra (Teusink) and Scott Behrmann of Holland; stepdaughter, Sue (Visscher) Koning of Florida; grandchildren, Michelle Behrmann, Vanessa Wright, Katie Kuzmick and Ben Koning; sister-in-law, Janice Veach; and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at the Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Resthaven Maplewoods or Hospice of Holland.
John Rypma, 78
John Donald Rypma (or “Rypper”), 78, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, at Holland Hospital, surrounded by his family.
John was born on June 28, 1947, in Holland to Don and Julia Rypma. John grew up in Holland with his sisters Judy (Baar) and Nancy (VanDam). He attended Holland High School and Hope College where he built lifelong friendships that carried through every chapter of his life. John also proudly served his country in the Michigan National Guard.
John was known for his warm smile, big hugs, and zest for life. Friends remember him as the “life of the party,” always ready with a laugh, a story, or an invitation to gather. He loved fishing, skiing, hunting, boating, and golfing, and he poured his heart into hosting friends and family —whether at the beach, on the boat, or around a table.
John is survived by his son, Steven Rypma; daughter, Elizabeth Crotty; daughter-in-law, Sarah Rypma; son-in-law, Dylan Crotty; and his five grandchildren, Aidan and Mia Crotty, and Julia, Penn, and Lauren Rypma. He was preceded in death by Judy and Randy Baar and Nancy VanDam.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. at Christ Memorial Church in Holland. A reception will follow the ceremony at Boatwerks. Friends and family are invited to share stories, laughter, and memories in honor of the man who gave so much to all of us.
In lieu of flowers, John’s family is asking that donations be made in John’s memory to Community Action House, to give back the Holland community that John cherished so much.
For those wishing to make a memorial donation in John’s name, donation envelopes will be available at the funeral and reception. Donations may be made via check, as well as online at communityaction house.org.
Joyce Vanden Bosch, 91
Joyce Elaine Warners Vanden Bosch, 91, a woman of unwavering faith, a caring heart, and a love for adventure, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Born in Grand Rapids in September 1933, she spent her childhood on a farm in Jamestown, creating cherished memories with friends while roller skating, bowling, and spending time at the beach.
After marrying Roger Vanden Bosch, Joyce moved to Zeeland. They raised two children, Steven and Shelley, and were active in their community through groups like the Zeeland Hospital Guild and the Young Married group at church. Once her youngest child was in kindergarten, she began working at John Thomas Batts as the receptionist and switchboard operator, a perfect role for her warm and welcoming personality.
Joyce was a cornerstone of Community Reformed Church, where she was a charter member. For years, she guided 4-year-olds in Sunday school and served on countless committees, including the search committee for the first pastor and the one that selected the church organ.
Her adventurous spirit was infectious. She loved traveling, helping plan Gert’s Getaway trips for many years and taking her family on unforgettable vacations across the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean. Her love for genealogy even led to an incredible house exchange in the Netherlands with a relative she’d discovered.
Joyce is survived by her children, Steven Vanden Bosch and Shelley (Wayne) Rumsey; grandchildren, Katelyn (Joshua) Burkett and Tyler (Hannah) Rumsey; in-laws, Martin Kinser and Betty Berkenpas; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Roger Vanden Bosch; parents, Bert and Cora Warners; siblings, Marvin Warners, Carolyn Berkenpas and Jan Kinser; and in-laws, Warren Vanden Bosch, Nora and Kurt Student, and Fritz Berkenpas.
A funeral service was held at Community Reformed Church on Friday, Aug. 8. Interment took place at Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Resthaven, Inc. or Faith Hospice.
Gerald Rozema, 85
Gerald Lee Rozema, 85, passed away on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.
He was born on Oct. 13, 1939 in Holland to Fred and Edith (Wolters) Rozema. He married Iris Faye Hopp on Jan. 28, 1960. Together they shared 65 years of marriage and had three children.
Lee (as he was known to many) started his career at Short Cut Garage when he was just a teenager. As a young man, he developed a strong knowledge in auto mechanics. Most of his adult life was spent under the hood of a car. He had a 13-year career with R.E. Barber Ford before starting his own business. He opened Quality Brake in 1984 and finally retired in 2002. He was a reputable and respectable businessman, making lifelong friends along the way.
In his retirement years, he was anything but idle. He thrived on restoring classic cars, his favorite being his 1953 emerald green Mercury, a beauty which he proudly showed for about 20 years.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Bethany Fay Rozema; brothers-in-law, John Garvelink, Paul Teusink, Robert Hoezee, Jerry Barendse and Arnie Hopp; and sisters-in-law Wanda Hopp and Bonnie Postma.
He is survived by his wife, Iris; children, Laurie (Linn) Boerman, Linda (Mike) Perry, and Thomas (Tammyjo) Rozema; grandchildren Brandy (Dave) Iacopelli, Kara Perry, Curtis (Rebecca) Perry, Sarren (Angel) Rozema and Skyeliegh Rozema; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Carol Teusink, Barb Hoezee; sisters-in-law Norma Barendse, Letty (Richard) Looman and Lynn (Kurt) Schaafsma; and brother-in-law, David Postma.
A visitation for Gerald was held Sunday, Aug. 10 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St. Holland. A private family burial followed.
