Carolyn Lunette (Barnhard) VanderKooi

Carolyn Lunette VanderKooi, age 86 of Norton Shores, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021 peacefully at home surrounded by family. She was born on August 17, 1935 in Muskegon, MI to the late Everett DeVere and Nellie Belle (Smith) Barnhard. Carolyn married Leo VanderKooi on December 21, 1951 in Muskegon, MI.

Carolyn attended Fruitport High School and was a member of the Grand Haven Gospel Chapel Church for many years. She was known as “the neighborhood mother” to all the young kids in the neighborhood. Carolyn volunteered for many summers as a cook and kitchen assistant at Bear Lake Bible Camp. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and word searches, cooking for her family and friends, and playing her piano, which she played by ear. She loved playing board games and an occasional hand of cards with her cousins.

Carolyn is lovingly remembered and missed by her husband of 69 years, Leo; her two daughters, Joyce (Ron) Corradin of North Muskegon, and Janice (Bruce) Barbour of Lady Lake, FL; her two sons, David (Joan) VanderKooi of Grand Haven, and Donald (Mandy) VanderKooi of Norton Shores; daughter-in-law, Rhonda VanderKooi of Muskegon; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Preston and Timothy VanderKooi; and two brothers, Kenneth and Norman Barnhard.

The Celebration of Life for Carolyn will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Grand Haven Gospel Chapel, with Pastor Doug VanderMolen officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Interment will be at Fort Custer Cemetery in Battle Creek.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Faith Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carolyn Lunette (Barnhard) VanderKooi, please visit our floral store.