Goldie Driesenga, 96
Goldie Driesenga, 96, of Beaverdam, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Goldie was born Sept. 15, 1929, in Holland to Bert and Marlena (Regnerus) Bruischart. She graduated from Holland High School in 1947. Goldie married Harvey Driesenga on April 9, 1948.
Goldie and Harvey became dedicated members of Beaverdam Reformed Church. Harvey was a brick mason, and Goldie cared for their children and home. As the children grew older, she worked at a local greenhouse and then in the kitchen at Community Restaurant for 27 years. At the conclusion of the Beaverdam Reformed Church ministry, Goldie became a member of Community Reformed Church of Zeeland.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, in 2016; son, Steve Driesenga, in 2019; son-in-law, Dan Gruppen, in 2008; son-in-law, Wayne Sneller, in 2025; and grandson, Jeffrey Allen Driesenga in 1970.
Goldie is survived by her children, Marlene Sneller, Ron Driesenga, Linda and Bill Casey, Kathy and Kevin Fuglseth, Bonnie and Terry Gruppen, and Jim and Judie Driesenga; daughter-in-law, Vicki Driesenga; 15 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Betty Westrate and Lonna Bruischart; and many extended family members.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 3 at Redeemer Christian School (formerly Beaverdam Reformed Church), 7250 Ransom St., Zeeland. Interment was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Legacy Thrift.
Donald Baker, 96
Donald R. Baker, Sr., 96, of West Olive, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026.
Donald was born in Des Moines, Iowa to James and Mary Ellen (Barger) Baker and served his country in the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. On Aug. 20, 1954, he married Norma Feyen, and she preceded him in death on July 20, 2021.
Donald was a member of Ottawa Reformed Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and reading.
He is survived by his children, Donald, Jr. (Kris) Baker, Jeffrey (Marcia) Baker, and Maurine Baker; grandchildren, Terry (Jennifer) Baker and Melissa (Lewis) Heckelman; great-grandchildren, Regan, and Avery Baker, Lily, Daisy, Hank, Storm, Ozzy, and Axl Heckelman; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Junior, Edward, Robert, and Lewis Baker, Helen Whitman, Ila Saltzman, Ivalee Allen and Dorothy Donovan.
In keeping with his wishes, a private family graveside service will take place at Port Sheldon Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Ottawa Reformed Church.
Judith Lubbers, 81
Judith Kay Lubbers, 81, of Fillmore Township, fell peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at her home.
Judy was born Nov. 9, 1944, in Holland to Andrew and Pearl (Bredeweg) Witteveen. She attended Zeeland Christian School and graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1962.
Judy married Howard L. Lubbers in 1964, and they raised their four children on the family flower farm in Fillmore Township. She was trained in nursing at Butterworth Hospital and worked for Holland Hospital and later at Resthaven Care Center. Judy was an
active member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, in 2022, and by her sister, Marilyn Dykstra.
All who had the privilege of knowing Judy remember her most for her servant heart. She strongly believed in living out the incomprehensible love of Jesus and was a quiet light in any room, gracing everyone with her compassion, kindness, humility,
tenderness and loving spirit. She joyfully went to great lengths to serve anyone in need she encountered.
She is survived by her children, Clay and Jaci Lubbers, Matt and Shelly Lubbers, Christy and Bryan Berghoef, and Jon Lubbers; grandchildren, Maggie and Seth Broekhuis, Christian Lubbers, Nicholas Lubbers, Cameron Lubbers, Andrew Lubbers, Henry Berghoef, Winston Berghoef, Charles Berghoef and Josephine Berghoef; siblings, Betty Oase and Shirley Scholten; in-laws, Bob Dykstra, Gloria and Dale Boss, Jayne Lubbers, Lola and Paul Deters, and Patti Peeks; and many extended family members and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 3, at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave., Holland. Interment was in the Lubbers family plot in East Saugatuck Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Zeeland Christian School, Holland Christian Schools, or the Outdoor Discovery Center.
Sue Brooks, 92
Sue Marie Brooks, 92, of South Haven, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026.
She was born Oct. 7, 1933 in Ellaville, Ga. to her parents, Addie Rie Hampton and the Rev. Benie Hampton. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Bernice H. (Clay) Sims of Bold Springs, Ga. and Mary Adele (Joe) May of Pensacola, Fla.
In 1952 she graduated high school from Pennington Gap, Va., and in 1956 received her B.S. degree from East Tennessee State University. On Aug. 11, 1956 she married Ben M. Brooks, and they moved to South Haven, where she taught school until her retirement in 1989. Sue was an active member in the First United Methodist Church in South Haven, where she taught Sunday School for many years.
Sue is survived by her children, Kemarie (Sandy Preiser) Brooks of Zeeland, and Wade (Sandy) Brooks of South Haven; grandsons, Nicholas Logan Brooks of Glenn, Noah Hampton Brooks of Grandville and John Preiser of Zeeland; and by several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at noon today at First United Methodist Church, 429 Michigan Ave., South Haven, with Pastor Stephanie Norton officiating. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11 a.m. to noon. Sue will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of South Haven or Wings of Hope Hospice.
Susan Rumley, 72
Susan Jane (Laga) Rumley, 72, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Sue was born Feb. 18, 1954 in Highland Park to Robert and Joyce Laga. She grew up in Hazel Park and graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1972. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she met the love of her life, Tim Rumley. They were married on June 16, 1979.
The most important event in Sue's life happened in childhood, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Everything else she did after that stemmed from a love of Christ and desire to be more like Him.
She was a faithful wife for over 47 years, supporting Tim through pastoral ministry and other career roles.
She loved reading books and putting together puzzles; playing the piano, flute, and many other musical instruments including the dulcimer and accordion; camping with her husband, kids, and grandkids; and going on fun adventures like trying to find the best donut in Michigan.
Most of all, Sue's true passion was raising her children. She excelled at homemaking, baking, and homeschooling her kids for 26 years, long before it was common.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Tim Rumley; children, Luke (Lacey) Rumley, Emily (Daniel) Stauch, Erin (Tobin) Bolton, Betsey (Micah) Vastbinder, Zachary (Kaelee) Rumley, and Elyse Rumley; grandchildren, Grace, Caleb, Ava, Jaden, Malachi, Lilah, Jackson, Judah, Bristol, Corbin, Alden, Anya, and one more due to arrive in November.
A memorial service was held Friday, May 29 at Grace Bible Fellowship, 1260 Chicago Dr., Jenison, officiated by Pastor Caleb Befus. Interment took place prior to the service, at Zeeland Cemetery-Felch Street.
Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Bible Fellowship in Jenison.
Thomas Sneller, 76
Thomas Sneller, 76, formerly of Zeeland, passed away Friday, May 22, 2026.
He was born Aug. 22, 1949, to Norman and Beatrice Sneller. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Upon graduation from Zeeland High School, Tom began work in the cement business, eventually starting his own business, Tom Sneller Poured Walls. Tom married Viny on Dec. 3, 1988.
Tom is survived by his wife Viny (Lavina Morley) Sneller; siblings, Cathie (Arlen) Meeuwsen, Danny Sneller, Joel (Brenda) Sneller, and Ann (David) Broene; stepdaughter, Connie (Ken) Lenta; stepson, Darren (Laura) Osborne; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and six nephews and nieces.
Visitation was held Tuesday, June 2 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Ruby Creek.
Philip Staal, 90
Philip Ward Staal, 90, of Holland, stepped into eternity with the Lord on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Resthaven Care Center.
Phil embraced life with deep character and purpose. Born and raised in Zeeland, he began working at Miles Laboratories while earning a degree from Hope College. In a display of loyalty rarely seen, he stayed with Miles (now Bayer) his entire career as a research chemist.
Yet, Phil maintained an unswerving commitment to his family, as seen by his showing up at any event his kids or grandkids participated in - regardless of the day, time, or travel distance. His greatest love always remained focused on Carole, his wife of 69 years. "Never go to sleep without a goodnight kiss," was the advice he offered to all couples getting married.
Phil is survived by Carole, sons, Steve Staal of Holland and David (Becky) Staal of Spring Lake; and grandchildren, William Staal, Scott (Maddie) Staal, Erin (Justin) Dahm, and Amanda Staal.
A private family graveside service and burial was to be held at Pilgrim Home Cemetery in Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Resthaven Care Center in Holland.
Robert DeJonge, 66
Robert (Bob) Alan DeJonge, 66, of West Olive, passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 16, 2026, doing what he loved: cycling.
Bob graduated from Zeeland High School in 1977, where he excelled at advanced classes. After high school he attended the General Motors Institute and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.
In 1981 he was offered a position with General Dynamics in Los Angeles. While in California Bob got into cycling. He also bought a “crotch-rocket” motorcycle to cruise the mountains with on the weekends.
After realizing the high cost of living in California, Bob moved back to Michigan. He accepted a job with GHSP (Grand Haven Stamp Products) where he designed shifters for automobiles. His bosses recognized his talents and selected him to travel overseas to Europe and Japan, with the purpose of setting up plants in those countries. Bob was such a good engineer that he had an auto-shifter gear patent in 2005.
While working full time, he was getting his master's degree through Kettering University (previously GMI). Bob was asked to give a commencement speech at his master's grad ceremony - quite the honor!
He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Judi DeJonge (Heimke), of West Olive; daughter, Sarah DeJonge of Holland; sister, Sandy DeJonge (Tim Verhage) of Allegan; stepmother, Jan DeJonge of Holland; mother-in-law, Kathy Heimke of Calumet; aunts and uncles, Junior and Mary (Kalman) Vredeveld of Zeeland and Thomas and JoAnn DeJonge of Holland; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Irwin (Ernie) DeJonge and Lona DeJonge-Tyink; stepfather, Russ Tyink; father-in-law, Harland Heimke; grandparents, George and Leola (Ola) Kalman and Myron and Henrietta DeJonge; one cousin; and numerous aunts and uncles.
A private funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and a public celebration of life will take place this summer at a park in Grand Haven.
