Class Year: 1940

Robert Heasley ’43

Robert Heasley ’43 passed away peacefully the morning of May 22, 2018, just one month short of his 97th birthday. Bob was born on June 26, 1921 in Zeeland, Michigan. He was the son of Roy M. Heasley and Alyda (Veneklassen) Heasley. Bob’s childhood was spent in Holland, Michigan. After graduating from Holland High School, he attended Hope College, Michigan… Continue Reading →

Dorothy DeValois ’44 Wynia

Dorothy DeValois ’44 Wynia passed away May 17, 2018, at Bethany Manor in Story City, IA. A celebration of life will be held in Rock Valley, IA, at a later date. Dorothy was born Oct. 10, 1922 on a farm south of Boyden to Anna Scholten and Edgar DeValois. Her father was killed in a farm… Continue Reading →

Dorothy Cross ’45 Braat

Dorothy Cross ’45 Braat died peacefully on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the Rivercourt Residences in Groton, MA. She was born on June 17, 1923 in Hamilton, Ontario. She was a graduate of the Niagara Falls, New York High School and Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She started post-graduate work in Physiology at the University of Illinois, Urbana… Continue Reading →

Edith Wolbrink ’46 McMullin

Edith Wolbrink ’46 McMullin, age 93, of Allendale, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on February 22, 2018. She was born July 11, 1924 in Coopersville, and was a lifetime resident of Allendale. She graduated from Coopersville High School, Hope College, and did graduate work at Western Michigan University. On June 1, 1945,… Continue Reading →

Marian Reus ’47 Jacobson

Marian Reus ’47 Jacobson, long time resident of Mesa County, passed away recently at the age of 92. She was born on October 9, 1925, in the west Michigan village of Jamestown where her father was the General Practitioner/MD. She graduated from Zeeland High School (near Jamestown) and subsequently attended Hope College, the University of Michigan… Continue Reading →

Barbara Bilkert ’47 Mulder and Donald Mulder ’48

Barbara Bilkert ’47 Mulder and Donald Mulder ’48 Donald Mulder Born in Hospers, Iowa, his family later moved to Blissfield, Michigan, where his father, Cornelius, had taken a position as School Superintendent. Early on, Don began to display a great love for athletics and friendly competition that would last throughout his life. He lettered in several… Continue Reading →

Lois Austin ’48 Horne

Lois Austin ’48 Horne, age 91, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2018. Lois was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from West Side High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Michigan, where she met her future husband Eugene (Gene) and did graduate work at Florida Atlantic University after moving to… Continue Reading →

Ronald Korver ’48

Surrounded by his wife and children, Ronald (Ron) George Korver, 92, died peacefully on May 8, 2018, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ron was born in Orange City, Iowa, second of nine children, to the late William George Korver and the late Anna Birdella (DeCook). He spent most of his life in Japan as a career missionary with the… Continue Reading →

Olga Kilian ’49 DeKok

Olga Kilian ’49 DeKok , 90, of Appledorn Living Center, died Sunday after a long illness. She was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., on Sept. 5, 1927, to John L. and Olga Kilian, and grew up in Creston, Keokuk and Dubuque, Iowa. Her father, a foreman for Swift & Co., was transferred in 1945 to… Continue Reading →

Anna Tallman ’49 Miedema

Anna Tallman ’49 Miedema, age 90, of St. Anne passed away Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at her home. She was born September 17, 1927, in Wichert, the daughter of John & Christine Blankestyn Tallman. Anna Marie married Elwood Miedema, her devoted husband of 67 years, on August 9, 1950, in Wichert. He preceded her in… Continue Reading →

Wallace Stoepker ’43

Wallace Stoepker ’43 reports that at age 97, Western Theological Seminary has him listed as the oldest living alumnus. He and his wife, Dorothy, who have celebrated 72 years of marriage, are living in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He spoke at Western’s donor dinner in April 2017 Continue Reading →

Arlyne De Vries ’43 Ten Clay

Mrs. Arlyne Ten Clay, age 95, of Orange City, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Prairie Ridge Care Center in Orange City. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, May 26, at 11:00am, at the American Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Michael Hardeman and the Rev. Elizabeth Hardeman will… Continue Reading →

Elizabeth McCann ’44 Hartsema

Elizabeth M. “Boots” Hartsema, age 95, of Muskegon, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018. She was born October 8, 1922 in Muskegon to William and Flora (Spyke) McCann and had been a life resident of the area. Boots graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and was a member of the DELTA PHI… Continue Reading →

Shirley Lemmen ’45 Kammeraad

Shirley Anne Kammeraad, age 94, of Holland died August 6, 2018, at Resthaven Care Center. Shirley was a charter member of Christ Memorial Church where she served in the choir. She graduated from Hope College with a teaching degree. Because Shirley adored children her dream in life was to have a lovely family. She was… Continue Reading →

Neil Cocker ’48

Neil Cocker ’48 of Huntsville, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, July 11, 2018. He was 93. He served in the United States Navy. He worked for TVA until his retirement. Survivors include his children, Timothy Cocker, Susan McBarron and Thomas Cocker; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Continue Reading →

James Yuk ’48

James Yuk ’48 age 93, of Henrico, Virginia, peacefully passed away June 23, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jennie Yuk; and brother, Richard K. Yuk, all of Grand Haven, Michigan; as well as brother, Carl T. Yuk of Spring Lake, Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 64… Continue Reading →

Donald DeKraker ’40

Donald DeKraker, 100, late of Orland Park, IL, formerly of Saugatuck and Holland, MI. Beloved husband of the late Lorraine (nee Hoelle); devoted father of Linda (Jack) Connors, Robert (Eileen) DeKraker, and Laura (Morris) Threewitt; loving grandfather of Jay Connors, Holly (Gregg) Hall, Scott (Lynn), Andy (Cherise), and Jeff (Katie) Threewitt; cherished great-grandfather of Quinn, Lilah, Jackson,… Continue Reading →

Marion VanDyke ’43 Clark

Marion VanDyke ’43 Clark of Wheaton, Illinois, formerly of Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect, Illinois, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 5, 2018. Mary was born on November 10, 1921 to Rev. Dr. Henry and Jeanette Van Dyke in a suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary’s family came to live in Holland,… Continue Reading →

Gradus Shoemaker ’44

Gradus Shoemaker ’44 of Louisville, KY, passed away peacefully in his sleep, December 24, 2018, after living a fascinating and extremely productive life of nearly 98 years. Gradus L. Shoemaker was born on January 18, 1921, in Zeeland, Michigan to Corey and Hattie ( Lubbers) Shoemaker. Gradus graduated from Zeeland High School in 1939 and attended… Continue Reading →