Sharon Caldwell, 83
Sharon Louise Caldwell, 83, of LeRoy Township, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, surrounded by family at her son’s home in Zeeland.
Sharon was born June 26, 1942, in Cadillac to Howard F. Lehr and Agnes E. (Frost). She graduated from Cadillac High School in 1960. Sharon worked at First National Bank of Cadillac before marrying the love of her life, Dee S. Caldwell, in 1963. Dee passed away in 1971 from cancer.
Sharon later worked as fill-in secretary at the local elementary schools before taking a position in accounts receivable at Baldwin Family Health Care. In succeeding years, she became the manager of the dental department. She retired after 28 years of service.
Sharon was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother, Howard E. (Joyce) Lehr, and her sister, Donna (Gary) Smith.
She is survived by her children, Daniel (Maria) Caldwell and Christina (Dan) LaVergne; stepdaughters, DeeLayne (Mike) Verdon and Lori Palmer; grandchildren, Taylor, Ryan, Zach, Carrie, Ann, John, Emily, Analíz, and Lennon; great-grandson, Herbie; and nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
Per her wishes, there were no services.
Cremation has taken place, with a spring burial to be held in LeRoy Township Cemetery.
Cynthia Kimber, 68
Cynthia L. Kimber, 68, of Holland, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 at Holland Hospital.
She was born in Holland, but spent many years in Royal Palm Beach, Fla., where she worked for Palm Beach County as a client service specialist. She retired in 2017 never missing a day of work, and shortly after moved back to Holland.
Cynthia is survived by her husband of 50 years, Scott; father-in-law, Don Kimber; sister-in-law, Beth Mayer; siblings, Karen Mcdyer, Debbie Diepenhorst and Mark Diepenhorst; nephews, David Mayer and Jassen Dugge; and several other nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Holland Charter Township Community Center. Private graveside burial will be in Zeeland Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be given to Harbor Humane Society at harborhumane.org/donate.
Donna Bolthouse, 83
Donna Sue Bolthouse, 83, of Holland, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 after an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
She was born in Belding on Sept. 1, 1942 to Dr. Arthur Green and Sue Cate Green. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Robert and Daniel Green, and husband of 36 years, James H. Bolthouse, who passed away of cancer in 1998.
Donna graduated from Belding High School in 1960, where she was crowned Apple Queen in her senior year. She attended Western Michigan University and earned a B.S. degree in special education in 1964. In 1982, she obtained her masters in reading from Central Michigan University and later earned an endorsement to teach pre-primary Impaired children.
Donna lived in Big Rapids from 1967 to 2002, where she was a faithful member of Fellowship Christian Reformed Church. During those years, she was actively involved in many community activities and committees, generously giving her time and talents in service to others.
Donna taught in the Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District for 20 years, retiring in 2002. She had a deep love for teaching and had a special place in her heart for those with special needs.
After retiring, Donna moved to Holland to be near her three children and their families, a transition that brought her great joy and allowed her to remain closely connected to those she loved most.
Donna was blessed to marry Dennis P. Kaleugher in 2019. Together, they shared a love for traveling, dancing, and biking. They embraced new adventures, and created cherished memories filled with joy, companionship, and laughter.
Donna is survived by her husband, Dennis P. Kaleugher; children, Scott (Gwen) Bolthouse of Holland, Julie (Jeff) Mass of Zeeland, and Amy (David) Brillhart of Jenison; siblings, William (Cheryl) Green and Lucy (Mick) McGraw; grandchildren, Connor (Bethany) Bolthouse, Alex (Emily) Bolthouse, Alison (Kory) Young, Lanae Mass, Mallory and Rachel Brillhart; and great-grandson, Elliot Bolthouse.
A memorial service for Donna will be held Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland, in the Chapel (use entrance G). Visitation will take place before the service, starting at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Donna’s name can be made to Compassionate Heart Ministries at compheart.org/donate or the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org
Dale Mohr, 85
Dale Jay Mohr, 85, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
Dale was born March 22, 1940, in Coopersville to Cornelius and Kathryn (Miedema) Mohr. Dale attended Unity Christian High School and then served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962. He married Beverly Bos in July 1960.
Dale owned and operated Mohr Electric for 24 years. Dale and Bev raised their children in Zeeland and were members of Vriesland Reformed Church. Dale and Bev and family were also charter members of Haven Christian Reformed Church in the late 1960s. He was preceded in death by his sons, Eric “Ricky” Mohr and Chad Mohr; and siblings, Carl “Butch” Mohr and Nancy Knoper.
He is survived by his children, Todd Mohr and Janine Gregorski-Mohr, Brent and Ann Mohr, and Jill and Kevin Ellerbroek; grandchildren, Jessica Mohr, Brittany Mohr, Aubree Gregorski, Miranda Mohr, Michaela and Riley Van Dyke, Spencer Mohr, Trevor Mohr, Chloe Mohr, Jett Ellerbroek, Kruz Ellerbroek, Marinna Ellerbroek and Caden Ellerbroek; great-grandchildren, Luka, Alex and Oliver; in-laws, Jay Knoper, Jan Mohr and Tony Woudwyk; and many extended family members.
A funeral service with military honors was held Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Vriesland Reformed Church, 6839 Byron Rd., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery (Original).
Memorial contributions may be made to Kids Hope USA.
Lisa Dunlap, 66
Lisa Marie Dunlap, 66, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, after a brief but brave fight against cancer.
She is survived by her brother, Dennis, and two daughters, Rose and Sophia. She was preceded in death by her father (1960) and mother (1986), and two sisters, Carolyn (1951) and Carla (2025).
Lisa was born on Sept. 18, 1959, in Muscatine, Iowa to Winton Lee Dunlap and Helen Marie Dunlap. In 1965, she and her family moved to Holland. Lisa graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1978. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Russian studies. Her employment was in the banking industry. She was well-liked at her place of employment in Zeeland.
After careful consideration, she decided to adopt children. In 2001, she traveled to Jiangxi, China to adopt Sophia, and in 2003, she traveled to Hunan, China to adopt Rose. Sophia is now 26 and working on a PhD in cancer biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Rose, 23, graduated from Central Michigan University and is working in the marketing industry.
Lisa became ill in August 2025. She was finally diagnosed with esophageal cancer in November. She vowed to fight. However, the cancer had progressed too far. She is now with her Heavenly Father, her earthly father who passed away when she was eight months old, her mother, and her beloved pets Ben, Voishka, Scribble, Story, and Pounce.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Immanuel Church, 325 104th Ave., Holland, with Pastor Alyn Goossen presiding. Interment was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland.
James Gentile, 79
Dr. James M. Gentile, 79, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Zeeland.
Dr. Gentile was born Aug. 31, 1946, in Chicago. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, a master of science and PhD from Illinois State University, and undertook postdoctoral studies in the Department of Human Genetics at the Yale University School of Medicine. He joined the Hope College faculty as assistant professor of biology in 1976.
During his 30-year tenure at Hope, he was a teaching and research professor, chairing the department from 1986 to 1988 and later being appointed dean of the natural and applied sciences from 1988 to 2005 and again from 2013 to 2015. He was honored with the Kenneth Herrick Professor of Biology and was an exchange professor at Meiji Gakuin University, in Tokyo, Japan (1986).
Throughout his career, he was actively involved in the scientific community. He was an AAAS Fellow, a National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences, and a National Academies Education Mentor. He was the former Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal, Mutation Research and Past President of the U.S. Environmental Mutagen Society and the International Association of Environmental Mutagen Societies. He served on numerous boards, including Project Kaleidoscope in Washington, D.C., the Biosphere 2 Governing Board in Arizona, the Science Friday Foundation Board in New York, the American Association of Colleges & Universities Project Leap Initiative, and various committees and working groups for the National Academies of Science, the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C., and the World Health Organization.
In 2005, Dr. Gentile moved to Tucson, Ariz. and became president of Research Corporation for Science Advancement, a foundation for science education and research. He remained with the foundation as president until 2013.
Throughout his career, Dr. Gentile mentored and trained more than 100 students in the area of scientific research, sharing his enthusiasm and dedication to science with his students. He extended his efforts to international centers of learning in the Netherlands, Mexico, Japan and Italy.
Dr. Gentile is survived by his wife, Glenda; son, Michael, and Michael’s wife, Tricia, along with their two daughters, Makayla and Isabella; sister, Geraldine Wagner; and many nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Michael A. Gentile, and mother, Theresa Russo-Jeras.
A Mass in Dr. Gentile’s honor took place Saturday, Jan. 17 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Ave., Holland. A celebration of life will be held at Hope College sometime this spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to “Gentile Interdisciplinary Lectures” at Hope College.
Michelle Zavala, 48
Michelle Zavala, 48, of Holland, passed away Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
Michelle was preceded in death by her son, Darien Phimmasane, and her mother, Elaine Zwagerman.
Michelle was a member of Victory Point Church and was strong in her faith. She loved traveling with her family and helping others in the community do the same in her work as a travel agent.
Michelle is survived by her husband of almost 20 years, Luis; children, Jessica Zavala and Jovani Zavala; father, Marvin Zwagerman; siblings, Laura and Mike Piechocki, and Tim and Lisa Zwagerman.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 16, at Victory Point Church, 11530 Ransom St., Holland. Interment was in North Holland Cemetery.
Arrangements were by at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
David Kolenbrander, 86
David L. Kolenbrander, Sr., 86, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
David was an Air Force veteran, former volunteer fireman, computer programmer, and retired from Meijer. He previously lived in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Nevada.
David was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eva Kolenbrander; sisters and brothers-in-law, Dale and Marylou Altena, and Don and Sandy Stepka; his first wife, Corinne Kolenbrander; and grandson, Mike Kolenbrander.
He is survived by his children, David (Linda) Kolenbrander, Dawn (Stephen) Bell, and Scott (Crystal) Kolenbrander; 13 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
No services are planned. Arrangements were by at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
