Viola Flokstra, 76
Viola Mae Flokstra, 76, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Viola worked for the Farmers Co-Op in Zeeland for more than 45 years. She was a dedicated employee and loved her job. She enjoyed being outdoors on the farm, mowing the lawn, taking Model T drives with her husband, and especially loved her dog Charlie. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ervin Zeerip; and sister, Marilyn Mokma.
She is survived by her husband, Ron Flokstra; siblings, Carolyn Rietman, Nelva and Jerry Timmer, Sandy and Cal Ver Beek, and Jerry and Sharon Zeerip; brothers-in-law, John Jr. and Diane Flokstra, Dale and Elaine Flokstra, David and Laurie Flokstra, and Steve and Sue Flokstra; several nieces and nephews; and extended family.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church, 5166 64th Ave. Hudsonville. Burial will be in Beaverdam Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Viola’s honor may be given to Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church, 5166 64th Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426 or Sus Manos Gleaners, 2464 Wilshere Dr., Jenison, MI 49428.
Randall Assink, 73
Randall P. Assink, 73, of Holland, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026, at his home.
Randy was born in Holland on Oct. 8, 1952, to Herman and Hazel (Geurink) Assink. He graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1970. Randy worked for many decades and retired from Haworth where he drove hi-lo. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Assink.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Lisa and Brian Brinks (Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Abigail), and Bryan and Trisha Assink (Samantha, Isabel, Zachary, Aubree); sisters, Luann (Dave) DeFeyter, Bev Assink and Chris Geerlings; and many extended family members.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Private interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will also be on May 26, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Yntema Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may be made to Doors of Hope, or Harvest Stand Ministries.
Linda Schaftenaar, 77
Linda Lou (Freestone) Schaftenaar, 77, of Holland, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Linda was born in 1949 to Marvin and Marjorie Freestone and resided in Holland throughout her life. She attended Holland Public Schools before marrying her beloved husband, Richard (Dick) Schaftenaar in 1967 and raising their daughter, Tonya.
Linda pursued a variety of professions over the years. She worked alongside her father-in-law at his medical practice, managed several local restaurants, including The Hatch, Calypso’s and Mr. Steak, and later served as a parapro in food management and the events coordinator at the Ottawa Area Careerline Tech Center.
After retiring, Linda remained active in the Holland community by volunteering at the Warm Friend and the Community Action House Secondhand Store. She also organized golf tournaments benefiting veterans and active-duty military in memory of her brother, Scott, who gave his life serving our nation in Vietnam. She was also an active member at Christ Memorial Church for many decades.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Marjorie Freestone; brother, Spencer Scott Freestone; parents-in-law, Dr. Richard and Julia Schaftenaar; brother-in-law, Doug Knapp; and sister-in-law, Jane Walton.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Richard Schaftenaar; daughter, Tonya (Art) Tolsma; grandchildren, Nola (David) Julian, Areal (Jonathan) Vanden Akker, Avery Tolsma, and Megan Tolsma; siblings, Nola Freestone (Bob Levitan), Ken (Lorma) Freestone, and Mike (Deanne) Freestone; sisters-in-law, Margie Knapp and Becky (Rick) VanEenenaam; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Quincy Place Senior Living in Holland for their compassion and love shown to Linda in her final months.
The funeral service honoring Linda will take place at 11 a.m. today at Calvary on 8th, 995 E. 8th St., Holland. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to: Fisher House Foundation (fisherhouse.org), 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410, Rockville, MD 20852; or Emmanuel Hospice (emmanuelhospice.networkforgood.com), 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Maxson Gonzalez, 13
Maxson Kruz Gonzalez, 13, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Maxson is survived by his parents, Homar and Shania Gonzalez; and his sisters, Liberty Mae Gonzalez and Emilia Rae Gonzalez.
Visitation was Saturday, May 16, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Mary Ferguson, 78
Mary Louise Ferguson, 78, of Holland, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, May 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on Oct. 13, 1947, in Zeeland, Mary was the beloved daughter of Dirk Cornelius Bloemendaal and Lillian Ruth Bloemendaal. Her life was a testament to the values of compassion, kindness, and unwavering dedication to those she loved.
Mary’s journey through life was graced by a heart full of love and laughter. She met the love of her life, Ira “Bud” Ferguson, and together they embarked on a beautiful journey, marrying on June 19, 1965. For more than 60 years, they built a life rich in love and shared dreams, raising their four wonderful children in the closeknit communities of Holland and Zeeland.
A graduate of Muskegon College, Mary pursued her passion for caring for others by earning a degree in nursing. Her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse was a lifelong vocation, through which she touched countless lives with her gentle care and empathy. Mary was a caregiver at heart, always ready with a comforting word or a healing touch for those in need. Her vibrant spirit extended beyond her professional life. Mary was an avid gardener, finding solace and joy in nurturing the earth and watching her garden bloom.
Mary was a devoted member of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, where she found community and spiritual nourishment for many years. Her faith was a guiding light in her life, offering strength and comfort to her and those around her.
Mary is survived by her loving husband, Ira “Bud” Ferguson; children, Mark (Christine Shafer) Ferguson, Sandra Ferguson, and Danny (Shannon Cooper) Ferguson; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; her sister, Betty Walters; and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Ferguson-Appledorn, in 2020; and grandson, Austin Joe Ferguson, in 2024.
A celebration of Mary’s life was held on Saturday, May 16 at Dykstra Funeral Home - Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland, with Rev. Steven DeVries officiating.
The family kindly requests that donations be made in Mary’s memory to the Hospice of Holland, an organization that provided care and comfort in her final days.
David Klempel, 83
David “Dave” Jon Klempel, 83, of Grand Haven, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at a care facility in Zeeland.
Dave was born on Oct. 26, 1942, in Grand Haven to the late Leonard and Beverly (Pippel) Klempel. He graduated from Grand Haven High School, class of 1961, and attended classes at Muskegon Business College and Colorado State University in Fort Collins Colo. He spent most of his career working as a teller at banks including the People’s Bank in Grand Haven, Muskegon Bank, and Town Finance Bank in Holland, and while living in St., Joseph, he worked for Heath Zenith TV and LaSalle Bank.
Dave was a former member of the Grand Haven Area Jaycees and a big NASCAR and IndyCar fan and he enjoyed watching the annual Kentucky Derby on TV. He also loved country music and often attended country music concerts. Dave was especially known as an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed going fishing up north on the Pine River in Cadillac and the Little Manistee River.
Dave is survived by his son, Jon David Frederick Klempel-Williams of Texas; sister, Ellen B. (Larry L.) Reiss; and his cousins, Nancy Neely and Leonard (Sue) Munch.
A private graveside service for Dave was held at Lake Forest Cemetery.
John Killilea, 89
John Killilea, 89, of Holland, died after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
John was born in Andover, Mass. on May 16, 1936, to Col. Frank J. Killilea and Isabel Killilea. He earned a master’s of religious education from Maryknoll College in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and a master of arts from Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York. He married Aida Peschiera in 1991.
John retired as human resources manager for BLD Products in Holland. His career also included service with Rehabilitation Services in Cleveland, Ohio; counseling roles at St. Francis College in Loretto, Pa., and Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and a position as human resources manager for McCreary Tire and Rubber Co. in Indiana, Pa.
John grew up as part of a loving, active, and successful Irish Catholic family in Andover, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a devoted father to his families and an active member of St. Francis de Sales Church in Holland.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Aida; and his brothers, Frank Jr. and Peter (Katie).
John is survived by his children, Sean (Jennifer), Benjamin (Jessica), Pablo Peschiera, Andrea Peschiera Olortegui (Hugo), and Gabriela Peschiera; grandchildren, Ashley, Dylan, Tatum, Rowan, and Finn Killilea, Violet Rose Peschiera, Catalan and Penelope Olortegui, and Chiara Carl and Amara Hurne; brother, Alfred Killilea (Mary Ann); sisters-in-law, Kathy (wife of the late Frank Jr.) and Lucia Forte; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Church, 171 W. 13th St., Holland, on Monday, June 22 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service starting at 10 a.m.
The family is deeply grateful to special friends Jet LaBarge and Ed Swart, and to Senior Resources (Katie), Resthaven (Maplewoods and Care Center), and Faith Hospice for their compassionate care of John.
In lieu of flowers, John requested that donations be made in his memory to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 5278, Tipton, IA 52772-0517.
Jack Dykstra, 71
Jack Alan Dykstra, 71, of Coronado, Calif. was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Friday, May 1, 2026, after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Jack was born on June 27, 1954 in Zeeland to Martin and Arlene Dykstra. He graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1972 and was a gifted athlete who enjoyed basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf.
After high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy. During his naval career of 24 years, he was attached to the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Long Beach and the USS Reasoner (as a participant of Operation Desert Shield). He also served as the chief supply corp officer at NAS North Island in Coronado.
Jack retired from the Navy in 2001 as a commander and then joined his family’s business, Holland Motor Homes, as the chief financial officer until his retirement in 2010.
Jack married Janet Lee Tracy of Coronado in 1979. They spent the majority of their lives in Coronado, raising their three children. Jack’s lifelong interest in sports extended to his children and he enjoyed coaching and attending their games. His courage, tenacity and optimism was a great example to those who knew him.
Jack is survived by his wife, Janet, of Coronado; children, Patrick of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Tracy of Coronado and Michael (Tiffany) of Coronado; grandsons, Ryder, Hendrix, Vaalen, and Morrison; and siblings, John (Patricia) Dykstra of Holland, Michael (Melissa) Dykstra of Coronado and Marcia (Larry) Genzink of Holland.
Jack will be buried at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on Friday, June 26.
