All Obituaries

Margaret Elizabeth (Briegel) Johnson of Grand Rapids, passed away on July 12, 2018, after a full life of 97 years.  She was born in Spring Lake, Michigan, on July 4, 1921, to John and Mina (Voss) Briegel.  After graduating from Grand Haven High School in 1939, she attended the Hackley Hospital School of Nursing, and earned her Registered Nursing (RN) degree.  On October 29, 1948, she became the wife of G. Stewart (“Stew”) Johnson, a former classmate in the Grand...

Constance Lorraine Sly, age 91 of Grand Haven, passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at a local care facility surrounded by family. She was born on July 10, 1927 to Hio and Ethel (Barthel) Donselar in Grand Haven. Connie graduated from Grand Haven High School and then married Cecil Sly on September 5, 1947 in Grand Haven. Cecil preceded her in death on January 15, 2011. She had been employed with Downtown Discount and Kirk's Camera Shop. She...

Donald G. Holtrop, age 79 of West Olive, passed away on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Heartwood Lodge.  He was born on August 11, 1938 to the late Henry and Katie (Mandemaker) Holtrop at home, at 668 Lynch Street SW in Grand Rapids, MI. Don proudly attended the former Southwest Christian Schools in Grand Rapids and was a member of the Class of 1956 at Grand Rapids Christian High School. He was also a member of the Heritage Class at Calvin College, having graduated in 1961. After college,...

Merle Joan McCarthy, age 88 of Grand Haven, passed away on Monday, July 9, 2018 at a local care facility in Zeeland. She was born on December 22, 1929 to the late Ralph and Gretchen (Haines) Poe in Jackson, MI. The Poe’s moved to Grand Rapids where Joan graduated from High School and Beauty College.  She relocated to Grand Haven and subsequently married Charles H. McCarthy on February 25, 1949. Shortly thereafter, Joan contracted polio and received treatment for over a year at St....

Beatrice “Bea” A. Kuyper, age 90 of Grand Haven, passed away on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at a local care facility. She was born on September 24, 1927 to Martin and Irene (Mason) Moon in Fremont. Beatrice married Adrian C. Kuyper on September 2, 1949 in Brunswick, MI. She was a Registered Nurse for many years and was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Grand Haven. Beatrice enjoyed doing picture puzzles, reading, traveling, and spending time with neighbors and...

Ruth Ann Bull, age 60 of West Olive, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 in Port Sheldon as a result of an automobile accident. She was born on November 5, 1957 to Bobby and Margaret (Buchanan) Cowan in Murfreesboro, TN. Ruth graduated from Spring Lake High School and married Thomas G. Bull on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1976.  He preceded her in death on February 21, 2009 after 33 years of marriage. Ruth was a homemaker first and foremost, but later in life...

Ronald E. Poel, age 91 of Spring Lake, passed away on Monday, July 2, 2018 at Poppen House of Muskegon. He was born on January 3, 1927 in Grand Haven to the late J. Nyhof and Christine (Bonema) Poel. Ronald served in the United States Army from April of 1945 to December of 1946, and received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal. He married Arlene Kerton on July 20, 1956 in Grand Haven, and she preceded him in death on July 16, 2010....

Virginia Hope Denler age 95, of Clearwater Lake, Wisconsin, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018 at Heartwood Lodge in Spring Lake, Michigan. Virginia was born March 17, 1923 in Duluth, Minnesota to Arnold and Lucille (Moses) Denler Sr. She graduated from Maplewood Academy in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and then attended Madison College of Madison, Tennessee. Virginia had been employed with manufacturing companies for many years, but her greatest love was caring...

Henry George Fase, age 57 of Grand Haven, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at home. He was born on August 23, 1960 to the late Richard and Lila (Johnson) Fase in Grand Haven, Michigan. Henry was a lifelong resident of Grand Haven, and had a love and admiration for the beautiful beaches and pier. His joy came from watching the God given sunsets, which Grand Haven is known for. Henry was an avid University of Michigan football fan, and loved dogs; especially the German Shepherd breed....

Doris M. Klop, age 93 of Grand Haven, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Beacon Pointe Memory Care in Portage, MI. Doris was born on December 18, 1924 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Peter and Kate (Diephuis)Van Doorne. She was a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, and then attended college prior to working in the office at American Seating Company. She married Stephen Klop Jr. on November 12, 1947 in Grand Rapids, and he preceded her in death on...