Roger Van Wyk, 94
Roger Leon Van Wyk, 94, passed away at home Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Roger was a longtime member of Central Wesleyan Church. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years, Betty; daughter, Susan (Van Wyk) Koenes; and brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Ruth Van Wyk.
He is survived by his children, Tom Van Wyk, Mike and Robin (Stephenson) Van Wyk, Kathy Van Wyk and Robyn Green, and Carol and Major (Ret.) Robert L. Whitman; grandchildren, Dr. Christine (Van Wyk) and Jamie Guevera, Daniel and Alisha (Ziel) Van Wyk, Lindsey (Van Wyk) Rodriguez, Mark and Katie (Biehl) Koenes, Stephen and Meghan (Gall) Van Wyk, Zachary and Kaitlin (Cress) Van Wyk, Rachel (Whitman) and Joey Garrity, and Katie Whitman; and eight great-grandchildren.
Roger loved the outdoors and shared his passion of hunting with his boys and grandchildren and great grandchildren all the while showing us God’s nature all around.
Roger’s family would like to say a special “thank you” to all the health care advisors from Anchor in Home Care.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Holland Christian Schools or the Holland Rescue Mission.
Carolyn Lowry, 88
Carolyn Ann DeYoung Lowry, 88, of Holland, died at home in Holland on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Carolyn was born Dec. 14, 1936 in the family home in the Roseland area of Chicago, the fifth of 12 children. She graduated from Hope College and Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s School of Nursing. She taught nursing at “Pres. St. Luke’s” where she met Warren L. Lowry, MD, in 1962. They married in 1963, and by 1969 were joined by Ruth, Laura, David, and William.
Warren, Carolyn and their children moved from Chicago to Rockford, Ill. where Warren established his medical practice in urology. She was committed to Christian education for her children, worked to bring enhanced 911 services to northern Illinois, and served a local mission that served in Christ’s name those among us who struggle with addictions and poverty.
Her children all went to Hope College in Holland, where Warren and Carolyn chose to establish a vacation home on Lake Macatawa. Warren and Carolyn chose to retire there, where she also chose to spend her final months.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Warren; children, Ruth, Laura, David (Donna), and William (Shalom); grandchildren, Daniel (Becca), Margaret, Will, Sam, Jon, David, Alex and Phoebe; siblings, Lois, Edwin, William, and Gloria; surviving spouses of the eleven; and dozens of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
John Canfield, 76
John Edward Canfield Jr., 76, of Holland, passed away Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 in the company of his wife of 46 years.
John was born in Madison, Wis. March 12, 1949 to John and Helen (Roberts). He attended Williams (Mass.) College for his first bachelor’s degree and the University of Minnesota for his second.
He taught at NOLS, Outward Bound, Country Day in New Orleans, and Blake Schools in Minneapolis before joining Intel as a mechanical engineer. As someone very good at management skills, John took a director position at Herman Miller, which brought John and his family to Michigan. After a couple of years, John opted to start his own consulting and meeting facilitations business, which took him into companies around the world.
John was a musician, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a jokester, an author, a world traveler and adventurer, a leader, a furniture builder, a father, and a friend. He was involved in numerous nonprofits and organizations throughout his life including Big Brothers, Escape Ministries, Community Action House, Boys & Girls Club, Rotary Club, the Holland Symphony, and the Holland Historic District.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon Dwyer; children, Robin Canfield, Marianne Canfield and Alexei Canfield; two grandchildren; sisters, Jane Anderson and Gail Pierce; and many extended family members and friends.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 1-5 p.m. at his home. Please contact rcanfield@gmail.com or go to JohnCanfield.com if you would like more details. For those attending, please bring a dad joke or two and a favorite memory of your time with John.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, John’s family requests you make donations to an organization of your choice that you feel would honor your memories with John.
Arlene Jager, 86
Arlene Jager, age 86, of Dorr, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital.
Arlene was a graduate of Zeeland High School and lifelong member of Oakland Christian Reformed Church. She loved her family and enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles with them.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 2024.
Arlene is survived by her children, Cindy (Jim) Caywood, Linda (Phil) Hunderman, Wanda (Steve) Ver Beek; grandchildren, Tonya (Dan) Mannes, Josh (Heather) Caywood, Amanda (Mark) Nyhof, Nathan (Kristen) Hunderman, Benjamin (Stephanie) Hunderman, Traci (Travis) Elenbaas, Zachary Ver Beek and Hannah Ver Beek; 15 great-grandchildren; and brother-in-law, Glenn (Sue) Jager.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 13, at Oakland Christian Reformed Church, 4460 38th St., Hamilton, with Rev. Mark Vande Zande officiating. Burial was in Bentheim Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Corewell Hospice.
Guyla Dickerson, 84
Guyla (Van Haitsma) Dickerson, 84, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, reuniting with her husband, David Dickerson, in heaven.
Guyla was born on July 31, 1941, in Vriesland to John and Mabel Van Haitsma. Together she and David founded Holland Screen Print in 1967. They enjoyed many adventures together by sailboat and motorcycle.
Later traveling by RV, they toured the U.S. and Canada, arriving at the final destination of Alaska.
She is survived by her son, Steven J. (Amy) Dickerson; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Thomas (Jodi) Dickerson (Isaac), and Peter (Heather) Dickerson (Sophia); and sisters, Janna (Richard) Palmbos,
Debra (Calvin) Diekema and Dawn (Dirk) Buikema.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph’s Indian School or a hospice of your choice.
Beth Kimball, 64
Beth Lorae Kimball, 64, of West Olive, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 in Zeeland.
Beth was born March 6, 1961 in Holland, the daughter of Henry and JoAnn (Hamby) Dykstra. She loved crocheting and shared that love with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Tasha Polk of West Olive, Stephanie (Joshua) Lindquist, of Corydon, Ind., Devon (Tess) Kimball of West Olive, and Justina Kimball of Holland; grandchildren, James, Kirra and Liam Polk, Henry, Benjamin and Piper Lindquist, Gabriel and Oliver Kimball, Opal Augustyn and Pearl Kimball; mother, JoAnn Dykstra; brother, Craig (Mary) Dykstra, and sister, Brenda Dykstra Gugino. Beth was preceded in death by her father Henry, and her brother-in-law, Tod Gugino.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 at Dykstra Funeral Home, Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. A private family service will take place at a later time.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given to The American Cancer Society in Michigan.
Lavern Edewaard, 91
Lavern D. Edewaard, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.
Vern was born Aug. 24, 1934 in Holland, and graduated from Holland Christian High School and Calvin College. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and had a variety of careers, including teaching high school biology, pharmaceutical sales, dry cleaners ownership, and various real estate developments all over Michigan. Vern was a charter member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church with many positions served.
Hunting was always a big part of his life, which brought him to be in leadership in the Holland Fish and Game Club, Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife Unlimited (eventually becoming the Outdoor Discovery Network), and Safari Club International. He loved learning, he loved God’s creation, and it was very common to hear him pray that faith in God would be passed on to the next generations by his kids and grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Julia and Menno Edewaard; parents-in-law, Marie and Henry Gort; brother and sister-in-laws, Sandra and Carl Edewaard, Morris Gort, Lucille and Arnold Blaukamp; and great-grandson, Theodore Groenink.
Vern is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol (Gort); sons, Steve and Wendy, Jeff and Rosetta, Randy and Jodie, and Jim and Stacy; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and in-laws, Glenda Gort, and Kristi and Tim Rigterink.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 13, at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 918 Central Ave. Holland, with Rev. Matthew Stob officiating. Burial was in East Saugatuck Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Zeeland Christian School at zcs.org or by mail to 334 W. Central Ave., Zeeland, MI 49464; Holland Christian Schools at holl andchristian.org or by mail to 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423; Hospice of Holland at hollandhos pice.org or by mail to 270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423; or the ODC Network at outdoordisc overy.org or by mail to 4214 56th St., Holland, MI 49423.
Georgia Poest, 82
Georgia Lee Poest, age 82, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025.
Georgia was born in Allegan Feb. 19, 1943 to Glen and Vonda (Levandowski) Ter Meer. She was a lifelong resident of West Michigan and member of Faith Church in Zeeland.
She is survived by her children, Michael, Larry, and Randy Smith; stepchildren, Kevin, Henry, and Gary Poest; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; andextended family and friends.
A visitation for Georgia was held Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
William “Bill” George Palmer, 71, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at his home.
Bill was born in Chicago on Aug. 12, 1954, to Walter and Joyce (McMullen) Palmer. He attended Tilden High School prior to joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He served on a U.S. Navy ship near the end of the Vietnam conflict, where his Marine unit and Naval ship assignment were instrumental in the evacuation of Saigon in April 1975.
Bill returned home from Vietnam in 1976, and married the love of his life, Carolyn Finch. In 1980 they moved to West Michigan and raised their two sons in Zeeland. Bill and Carolyn both worked at Corlett-Turner several years until their respective retirements. Bill was a skilled carpenter, tradesman, and mechanically-
inclined. He spent lots of time building houses, decks, porches, and doing every possible repair, both for family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carolyn; sons, William Palmer and Jeremy (Krista) Palmer; grandchildren, Alyssa Palmer, Zan Howerton, Dewey Palmer, Brody Palmer and Charlie Palmer; great-grandchild, Harleigh; siblings, Willy Erwin, Chuck Erwin, Kathy Erwin, Jean Palmer and Peggy Rubino; in-laws, Sissy, Mary, DeDe, Barbara, Joann, Vernon, Charles and Chet; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by siblings, Shirley Erwin and Larry Palmer.
A funeral service was held Friday, Sept. 12 at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Burial with military honors was held at Zeeland Cemetery (Felch Street location).
Georgia was born in Allegan Feb. 19, 1943 to Glen and Vonda (Levandowski) Ter Meer. She was a lifelong resident of West Michigan and member of Faith Church in Zeeland.
She is survived by her children, Michael, Larry, and Randy Smith; stepchildren, Kevin, Henry, and Gary Poest; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; andextended family and friends.
A visitation for Georgia was held Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
William Palmer, 71
William “Bill” George Palmer, 71, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at his home.
Bill was born in Chicago on Aug. 12, 1954, to Walter and Joyce (McMullen) Palmer. He attended Tilden High School prior to joining the U.S. Marine Corps. He served on a U.S. Navy ship near the end of the Vietnam conflict, where his Marine unit and Naval ship assignment were instrumental in the evacuation of Saigon in April 1975.
Bill returned home from Vietnam in 1976, and married the love of his life, Carolyn Finch. In 1980 they moved to West Michigan and raised their two sons in Zeeland. Bill and Carolyn both worked at Corlett-Turner several years until their respective retirements. Bill was a skilled carpenter, tradesman, and mechanically-
inclined. He spent lots of time building houses, decks, porches, and doing every possible repair, both for family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carolyn; sons, William Palmer and Jeremy (Krista) Palmer; grandchildren, Alyssa Palmer, Zan Howerton, Dewey Palmer, Brody Palmer and Charlie Palmer; great-grandchild, Harleigh; siblings, Willy Erwin, Chuck Erwin, Kathy Erwin, Jean Palmer and Peggy Rubino; in-laws, Sissy, Mary, DeDe, Barbara, Joann, Vernon, Charles and Chet; and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by siblings, Shirley Erwin and Larry Palmer.
A funeral service was held Friday, Sept. 12 at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Burial with military honors was held at Zeeland Cemetery (Felch Street location).
