By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland community is honoring the memory of longtime City Manager Tim Klunder.
Klunder, who had served as city manager since January 2002, died at his home in the early-morning hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, after a lengthy battle with melanoma. He was 57.
Klunder’s death came less than three weeks after the city honored him at an open house at the Colonial Clock Building for his nearly 25 years of leadership to the city.
“Twenty-five years is a remarkable career, but Tim's legacy cannot be measured by years alone,” Mayor Rick VanDorp said in a press release from the city. “He led with humility, treated every person with dignity, and cared deeply about this city and the people who call it home. Zeeland is stronger because of his leadership, and generations to come will benefit from the foundation he helped build. We will miss him greatly.”
VanDorp ordered all flags in the city be lowered to half-staff through Friday night in remembrance of Klunder’s service to the city.
A native of Byron Center, Klunder was hired by the City Council in November 2001 to be Zeeland’s third city manager. He came to Zeeland from Algonac, a community along the St. Clair River 50 miles northeast of Detroit, where he had served as city manager for three years. He also served in a similar capacity in the northwest Lower Peninsula community of Scottville.
“He was a friend, he was a man of great integrity, ethics, hard-working, fun-loving,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sally Gruppen, the lone council member remaining from when Klunder was hired. “He had a love of God and his family, and he learned to love and value this city that he so willingly and capably took care of during his years here.”
As city manager, Klunder helped guide Zeeland through decades of thoughtful growth and meaningful investment. The city strengthened its neighborhoods, upgraded its parks and public spaces, revitalized its downtown, expanded public safety services, invested in critical infrastructure, and remained committed to providing the high level of service residents of the city have come to expect.
Along the way, Klunder led quietly, with integrity, compassion and a genuine belief that local government exists to serve others.
“His humility, dedication to service, and integrity were examples of true leadership. I am forever blessed by the impact Tim had on my life, both professionally and personally,” said Kevin Plockmeyer, who Klunder hired in 2017 as finance director for the city, and then four years later as assistant city manager.
Plockmeyer was named interim city manager July 6 when Klunder was granted a medical leave of absence by the City Council.
Timothy R. Klunder was born Feb. 19, 1969 in Byron Center to William “Butch” and Sandy Klunder. He graduated from Byron Center High School, then attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Grand Valley State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then earned a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.
Klunder’s work life began at a Family Fare store, where he met Kim Glass. The couple married on March 16, 1990. After earning his master’s, Klunder got his first job opportunity in local government, working as an assistant to the city manager in Huber Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Later came the city manager opportunities in Scottville and Algonac.
Away from the office, Klunder was a top-notch golfer. He was a member of Macatawa Legends Golf Club in Holland and was also a past club champion. He was the Grand Valley Amateur Champion in 2008, with his son serving as his caddie. During a West Coast Chamber of Commerce outing in 2013 at The Ravines in Saugatuck, he sank a hole-in-one to win a lease on a car.
In a nod to Klunder’s love of golf, former Mayor Kevin Klynstra presented Klunder with a green sport jacket at the July 8 ceremony, similar to one presented to the champion of the annual Masters tournament, with the city’s “Feel the Zeel” logo emblazoned on it.
Klunder’s Christian faith was a central focus of his life, and guided not only his work life, but also life with his family. He and Kim had four children and seven grandchildren. During the July 8 ceremony, he spoke openly about his faith and the importance of showing grace to others.
“I think (grace) is the most beautiful word in the English language,” Klunder said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful word. The definition of grace is the free and unearned favor and love of God … I would encourage you, just as a human, to extend grace to others. It’s something we can all do a better job of.”
“I’m very confident of where I’m going, into the future. I don’t know when that will be, but I have that confidence. My simple prayer is that you will all receive that grace of God,” he said in conclusion.
Klunder is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kim; their children and grandchildren, Scott and Bethany Klunder (Kate, Jana, Leon, Abel), Tyler and Arin Klunder (Callum), Jordan and Liz Klunder, and Elizabeth and Matt Luce (Beckham, Palmer); parents, Butch and Sandy Klunder; parents-in-law, Howie and Norma Glass; brothers, Jer and Barb Klunder, Bill and Diane Klunder, Mike and Kim Klunder, and Ken Klunder; Kim's siblings, Matt and Brenda Glass, Kristine and John Robach, and Kathy and Jay Peltier; and many extended family members.
A celebration to honor the faith and life of Tim Klunder will be held Friday, July 31 at 1 p.m. at Faith Church, 220 West Central Ave., Zeeland. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Hoogland Room of the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St., Zeeland. Interment will be in Zeeland Cemetery (Original).
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Melanoma Research Foundation, or Faith Hospice.
Zeeland Record
The Zeeland community is honoring the memory of longtime City Manager Tim Klunder.
Klunder, who had served as city manager since January 2002, died at his home in the early-morning hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, after a lengthy battle with melanoma. He was 57.
Klunder’s death came less than three weeks after the city honored him at an open house at the Colonial Clock Building for his nearly 25 years of leadership to the city.
“Twenty-five years is a remarkable career, but Tim's legacy cannot be measured by years alone,” Mayor Rick VanDorp said in a press release from the city. “He led with humility, treated every person with dignity, and cared deeply about this city and the people who call it home. Zeeland is stronger because of his leadership, and generations to come will benefit from the foundation he helped build. We will miss him greatly.”
VanDorp ordered all flags in the city be lowered to half-staff through Friday night in remembrance of Klunder’s service to the city.
A native of Byron Center, Klunder was hired by the City Council in November 2001 to be Zeeland’s third city manager. He came to Zeeland from Algonac, a community along the St. Clair River 50 miles northeast of Detroit, where he had served as city manager for three years. He also served in a similar capacity in the northwest Lower Peninsula community of Scottville.
“He was a friend, he was a man of great integrity, ethics, hard-working, fun-loving,” said Mayor Pro Tem Sally Gruppen, the lone council member remaining from when Klunder was hired. “He had a love of God and his family, and he learned to love and value this city that he so willingly and capably took care of during his years here.”
As city manager, Klunder helped guide Zeeland through decades of thoughtful growth and meaningful investment. The city strengthened its neighborhoods, upgraded its parks and public spaces, revitalized its downtown, expanded public safety services, invested in critical infrastructure, and remained committed to providing the high level of service residents of the city have come to expect.
Along the way, Klunder led quietly, with integrity, compassion and a genuine belief that local government exists to serve others.
“His humility, dedication to service, and integrity were examples of true leadership. I am forever blessed by the impact Tim had on my life, both professionally and personally,” said Kevin Plockmeyer, who Klunder hired in 2017 as finance director for the city, and then four years later as assistant city manager.
Plockmeyer was named interim city manager July 6 when Klunder was granted a medical leave of absence by the City Council.
Timothy R. Klunder was born Feb. 19, 1969 in Byron Center to William “Butch” and Sandy Klunder. He graduated from Byron Center High School, then attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Grand Valley State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then earned a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.
Klunder’s work life began at a Family Fare store, where he met Kim Glass. The couple married on March 16, 1990. After earning his master’s, Klunder got his first job opportunity in local government, working as an assistant to the city manager in Huber Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Later came the city manager opportunities in Scottville and Algonac.
Away from the office, Klunder was a top-notch golfer. He was a member of Macatawa Legends Golf Club in Holland and was also a past club champion. He was the Grand Valley Amateur Champion in 2008, with his son serving as his caddie. During a West Coast Chamber of Commerce outing in 2013 at The Ravines in Saugatuck, he sank a hole-in-one to win a lease on a car.
In a nod to Klunder’s love of golf, former Mayor Kevin Klynstra presented Klunder with a green sport jacket at the July 8 ceremony, similar to one presented to the champion of the annual Masters tournament, with the city’s “Feel the Zeel” logo emblazoned on it.
Klunder’s Christian faith was a central focus of his life, and guided not only his work life, but also life with his family. He and Kim had four children and seven grandchildren. During the July 8 ceremony, he spoke openly about his faith and the importance of showing grace to others.
“I think (grace) is the most beautiful word in the English language,” Klunder said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful word. The definition of grace is the free and unearned favor and love of God … I would encourage you, just as a human, to extend grace to others. It’s something we can all do a better job of.”
“I’m very confident of where I’m going, into the future. I don’t know when that will be, but I have that confidence. My simple prayer is that you will all receive that grace of God,” he said in conclusion.
Klunder is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kim; their children and grandchildren, Scott and Bethany Klunder (Kate, Jana, Leon, Abel), Tyler and Arin Klunder (Callum), Jordan and Liz Klunder, and Elizabeth and Matt Luce (Beckham, Palmer); parents, Butch and Sandy Klunder; parents-in-law, Howie and Norma Glass; brothers, Jer and Barb Klunder, Bill and Diane Klunder, Mike and Kim Klunder, and Ken Klunder; Kim's siblings, Matt and Brenda Glass, Kristine and John Robach, and Kathy and Jay Peltier; and many extended family members.
A celebration to honor the faith and life of Tim Klunder will be held Friday, July 31 at 1 p.m. at Faith Church, 220 West Central Ave., Zeeland. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Hoogland Room of the Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S. Church St., Zeeland. Interment will be in Zeeland Cemetery (Original).
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Melanoma Research Foundation, or Faith Hospice.
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