James Boerckel, 66
James “Jim” Timothy Boerckel, 66, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
James was born April 26, 1959, in Peoria, Ill., to Robert and Lael (Haggerty) Boerckel. He graduated from Limestone High School in Peoria, and later graduated from Illinois State University. On April 17, 1982, Jim married Kathleen Klopfenstein, and they raised four sons together.
Jim and Kathy were called to the mission field, serving in Austria, California, and West Michigan. They moved to West Michigan in 2001. Jim and Kathy are members of Georgetown Bible Church. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jill Kristine Boerckel.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathy; their children and grandchildren: Aaron and Kayla Boerckel, Micah and Jessica Boerckel (Lucy, Moses, Lisette, Olive, Swede, Zion), Weston and Emily Boerckel (Oaklyn, August, Aubrey), Samuel and Haley Boerckel (Berlin); siblings, Scott and Carol Boerckel, Ritch and Kimberly Boerckel, Joy and Joe Unseth; in-laws, Carol and Scott Boerckel, Jim and Nancy Klopfenstein, Tom and Nancy Klopfenstein; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at Georgetown Bible Church, 4114 Baldwin St., Hudsonville. Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. A light luncheon will follow the service at church. Interment will be in North Holland Cemetery.
Arrangements by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Verna Victor, 93
Verna Ruth Victor, 93, of Holland, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, surrounded by family.
Verna was born on Oct. 19, 1931, in Forest Grove to Hilbert and Grace Smallegan. Growing up, Verna always wanted to be a nurse and was so proud that both of her granddaughters became nurses.
Verna met and married the love of her life, Warren Victor, and they had three wonderful children.
Verna worked in the adult education department at West Ottawa Public Schools for several years. Raising three children, she would tell them to always face difficult times and never give up. Verna enjoyed many things including, reading the Bible, Christian books, cooking, baking, sewing (she even made a coat), and puzzles.
Verna is survived by her children, Michael (Carol) Victor, Jill (John) Hardy and Steven Victor; grandchildren, Kyle (Laura) Victor, Tracy (Zach) Dominique, Paul Victor, and Julie (Rob) Trethewey; and great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Jude, Charles, Lilly, Natalie, and Chloe.
Verna was preceded in death by: her husband, Warren Victor; parents, Hilbert and Grace Smallegan; siblings, Howard Smallegan, Muriel (Baron) Smallegan and Beth Ten Have.
A visitation for Verna will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.
Lois Capel, 86
Lois Kay Capel, 86, of Hamilton, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Lois was born July 6, 1939, on the family farm in Overisel Township, to Earl and Martha (Hulst) Hoeve. She graduated from Zeeland High School, and married Don Capel. Lois worked her entire career at the Hamilton Farm Bureau. Don and Lois were longtime members of Hamilton Christian Reformed Church.
She is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Capel) and Ray Simmons; son Mike and Valerie (Ende) Capel; grandchildren, Laura (Simmons) and Colton Beck, Katie Simmons and Jeff Silcox, Riley Capel, Corey and Mattie (Klomparens) Capel; great-grandchildren, Makala, Mackenzie and Carson; and many extended family members.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Don Capel, in December 2024.
A family graveside service was to be held in East Saugatuck Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Stanley Scripps officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hamilton Christian Reformed Church.
Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
Wayne Nash, 82
Wayne Allen Nash, 82, entered into his eternal rest at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.
Wayne was the youngest of 13 children born to Ray and Janie (Kreigh) Nash on June 27, 1943. He was born and raised on the family farm south of Custer and graduated from Mason County Eastern High School, Ferris State College, and Michigan Technological University.
While at Ferris, Wayne met and married his “love for life,” Bonnie Jean Stoeffler. They were married on July 18, 1964 in Kalamazoo and had recently celebrated their 61st anniversary. Together they raised three daughters.
Wayne’s was a chemical engineer for the Dow Chemical Company, working at their sites in Ludington, Midland, and Bay City. After retiring in 1998, he and Bonnie moved to the Holland area where he did consulting work for a few years. Following that, they spent many years in Traverse City near one of their daughters and her family.
Wayne was particularly active in his church in Midland making an impact in the lives of many children and teenagers over the years, whether it was the bus ministry, AWANA, or as a youth group leader. Once his daughters left the house, Wayne was part of a special ministry to be a father figure to several young men who didn’t have a father in their lives. Wherever he lived, he found ways to help others through his church and community.
Wayne enjoyed the outdoors and was always on the move. He loved metal detecting, deer hunting, and taking nature walks. In his retirement years, Wayne also loved playing Santa, growing a beautiful white beard, and would visit malls, retirement homes, and preschools, sharing with everyone the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of his personal Savior.
Surviving him are his wife, Bonnie; daughters, Sue (Rob) Duguid, Julie (Forrest) Fernandez and Sara (Mark) Hurley; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sister, Shirley Small; brother, Robert Nash; Donny Varney, who was like a son to him; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and six sisters (Catherine, Irene, Florence, Erta, Hazel, and Betty) and four brothers (Richard, Raymond, Victor and Gale).
“With every breath, I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day, I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
‘Yet not I, but through Christ in me.’”
— lyrics by City Alight
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
Visitation with Wayne’s family was held Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, followed by a graveside service at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South in Kalamazoo.
David Salisbury, 71
David James Salisbury, 71, of Zeeland, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.
Dave was born on Jan. 2, 1954 to James and Mona Salisbury in Dearborn. He grew up in Belleville, graduating from Belleville High School and the University of Michigan, where he was a proud member of the Michigan Marching Band. He later received an additional degree from Spring Arbor College. He lived in the Holland/Zeeland area for the past 32 years.
For the past six years, Dave enjoyed serving as a volunteer with the Refresh program at First United Methodist Church of Holland. He believed all people are created in God’s image and should be treated with dignity and respect. Dave also regularly helped with audio and streaming for Sunday morning worship services, and he served as a lay delegate to the Michigan Annual Conference.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Paul Salisbury.
He is survived by his wife, Kim; children, Eric (Ellie) Salisbury, Holly Salisbury, and Jason (Brittany) Salisbury; grandchildren Brianna, Addison and Bennett; and brother, Stephen Salisbury.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Holland, 57 W. 10th St. Please enter through door A.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Refresh at First United Methodist Church of Holland.
Shirley Snyder, 83
Shirley Mae Snyder, age 83, passed away on Monday, Sept. 1, 2025.
Shirley was a great wife, mom, and grandmother and had a strong faith. She loved her dog, Reva, and wanted to be with her in her last days. She enjoyed playing piano, knitting, and crocheting. Her family loved being the recipients of her baking, particularly her apple crisp.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Hazel Van KlompenBerg.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Snyder; children, Mark and Priscilla Snyder, Scott Snyder, and Joel and Dana Snyder; grandchildren, Travis Snyder, Jeremiah Snyder, Jonathan Snyder, Logan and Amber Snyder, Aaron and Kaitlin Snyder, Savannah Snyder, Dustin Snyder, Jacob Leazier, Jennifer and John Gamble; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Van KlompenBerg; brother-in-law, John and Bev Snyder; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Family Church - Grace Campus, 9530 Woodbridge St., Zeeland, with Pastor Eric Dine officiating. Burial was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor may be given to Hospice of Holland.
Lisa Jo Pierce, 67
Lisa Jo (Tomsheck) Pierce, 67, of Holland, formerly of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2025.
Lisa Jo was born June 30, 1958, in Three Rivers to Wesley and Beverly (Hanson) Tomsheck. In 1976 she graduated from Three Rivers High School and worked for many years at Peterson Springs. She later obtained her associates degree and worked as a tax preparer.
Lisa Jo was preceded in death by her husband, James Pierce, in 2024, and shortly after moved to Holland to be closer to family.
She is survived by her children and grandchildren, Sean and Danielle Stevenson (Wesley, Hunter, Rowan, Mackenzie) of Rutland City, Vt.; and Sara and Jason DeWitt (Claire, Eleanor) of Zeeland; and extended family members.
Arrangements by the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
Shirley Gardner, 90
Shirley Gardner, 90, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
Shirley was a member of Rose Park Baptist Church, and she worked many years as a nurse’s aide. She also volunteered with her husband at Holland Hospital and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed camping, reading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cooking, baking and of course, anything chocolate (and ice cream). She lived a happy life, but most of all, she knew that the Lord was always with her.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Mike (Pat) Gardner, Dianna (Dale) Corbett, Mark (L’hassa) Gardner and Debi (Steve) Parker; eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joan Gardner and Peggy Britton; and brother-in-law, Jerry Gardner.
Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wilbur “Gene” Gardner in 2012; and two grandsons, Michael Gardner II and James Gardner.
Her family wishes to extend a special thank you to the wonderful nurses, nurse aides and caregivers at Resthaven Care Center and to the Faith Hospice care team for the fantastic care they provided for their mom, Grandma and G.G.
Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 5 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. A private family graveside interment followed.
Memorial contributions may be given to Faith Hospice at faith hospicecare.org/donate/#make-donation.
