Class Year: 1950

D. Jean Veldt ’54 Burns

D. Jean Burns left to go be with her Lord and Savior on May 13th, 2019. She passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Jean was born in Cooper Township to Jennie (Timmerman) and Harm Veldt, Sr. on March 1, 1932, the 7th of 8 children. She grew up in Texas Township… Continue Reading →

Donald Kroes ’56

Donald Kroes ’56 of Gainesville, Florida, died on Tuesday, Feb 19, 2019. He was 84. Survivorsinclude his wife of 60 years, Mary Anne DeFouw Kroes; children, Gregory (Kimberly) Kroes, Nancy Kroes ( J.T.) Newman and Stephen Kroes; five grandchildren, Michelle Kroes Gaskins, Smanatha Kroes Nicole Kroes Bahr, Victory Newman and Nicholas Newman ; one great-grandson,… Continue Reading →

George Worden ’59

George J. Worden, 83, of Elyria, Ohio, passed away March 12, 2019. He was born March 2, 1936 in Cadillac, Michigan and was a graduate of Cadillac High School. He went on to receive his BA from Hope College. George’s career path led him to fund development opportunities to support students, faculty and institutional endeavors for… Continue Reading →

Arnold Funckes ’50

Dr. Arnold Jay Funckes, beloved father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on August 11, 2019, at home in Tucson. Arnold was born November 11, 1926, in Holland, Michigan, where he met and married the love of his life, Marjorie Keane. They were married for 55 years until her death in… Continue Reading →

Catherine Rabey ’52 Kloote

Catherine A. Kloote was born in Brooklyn New York in 1930. She graduated from Bayside High School in Long Island where she won awards for academic excellence and participated in Synchronized Swimming. She attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she was in the Spanish Club and met her college sweetheart, William J. Kloote, Jr. They were… Continue Reading →

William Forth ’54

Dr. William E. Forth of Baldwinsville, New York, and Vail, Colorado, passed away on July 4, 2019, at the age of 86, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born to Emery and Susie Forth in Syracuse, New York, on August 12, 1932. He was predeceased by his sister, Pauline Burr. Bill was a… Continue Reading →

Joyce Bierens ’54 French

Joyce Marie Bierens French was born in Kalamazoo on August 25, 1932 to Cornelius W. Bierens Jr. of Kalamazoo and Janet M. Dornbos of Grand Haven. She moved to Grand Rapids at age 7, graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1950, attended Calvin College and graduated from Hope College in 1954 where she was a… Continue Reading →

Ronald Handy ’54

Ronald Wayne Handy, age 88 of Hudson passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2019. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Florence (nee Wollett) Handy. He is survived by his beloved wife Elly (nee Miller) of 66 years; two daughters, Susan (Derran) Wimer and Carol Jackson; grandchildren, Andrew (Jillian) Wimer and Bradley Wimer… Continue Reading →

S. Thom Scholten ’54

The Reverend S. Thoms Scholten, 86, died peacefully at Daughters of Sarah Nursing Home in the early morning hours of Sunday August 11, 2019, surrounded by his three children who had been celebrating his birthday with him. Thom was the youngest of six children born to the Reverend Walter A. and Frances (Thoms) Scholten on… Continue Reading →

Mary Lou Richards ’54 VanHeest

On Saturday afternoon, September 14, Mary Lou slipped away into the arms of her Lord. Under Hospice care for many months at her Lakeside Vista residence, she was regularly visited by children and grandchildren. Her beloved husband Neil died November 23, 2018 and has now been reunited with Mary Lou. Farm, Faith, Family. Mary Lou… Continue Reading →

Donald Heyboer ’55

Dr. Donald J. Heyboer of Moss Creek Plantation passed away on September 3, 2019, surrounded by his family. Dr. Heyboer was born November 14, 1933, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of the late Cornelius and Blanche Heyboer.  He moved to Hilton Head in 1992 from Dublin, Georgia. He graduated from Hope College in 1955… Continue Reading →

Marla Lindsay ’55

Marla Joy Lindsay, age 85, of Holland, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2019. Marla was a member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church, where she served as an elder and was active in the Dorcus Society. Marla loved Tulip Time and was a longtime volunteer and guide for the annual festival. Marla was a loving… Continue Reading →

Donald Northuis ’55

Donald Gene Northuis, 87, went to be with his Lord and Savior on July 25, 2019. He was born in Holland, Michigan, to Almer and Betty (DeFouw) Northuis on March 11, 1932; and married Eunice Schipper of Zeeland, Michigan, on June 24, 1953. Don attended Holland High School, Hope College and Western Michigan University. After… Continue Reading →

Robert Riekse ’55

Dr. Robert James Riekse, age 86, surrounded by his family, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 30, 2019. He was born May 9, 1933, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Gilbert and Esther Riekse during the depths of the Great Depression. He was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Marian and… Continue Reading →

James Galer ’56

James Floyd Galer, “Mr. Lucky,” surrounded by his family, took his final ride on the 20th Century Limited to be with his Lord on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at age 84.  He was born on November 10, 1934, in Troy, New York to DeForest Irvin and Elizabeth (Hallock) Galer during the height of the Great… Continue Reading →

Richard Defreese ’57

Richard Eugene Defreese went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 2, 2019, at age 84. Dick practiced a humble and steadfast love of Jesus Christ, and was a faithful and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and uncle. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on February 1, 1935 to the late George… Continue Reading →

Paul Northuis ’59

Paul Edwin Northuis, age 82, loving and devoted husband of the late Marsha Borr Northuis, passed away after a courageous battle with renal cancer. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Bessie (DeFouw) Northuis and brothers Kenn, Rodger, and Donald. Paul was born in Holland, Michigan. He graduated from Holland High School… Continue Reading →

Dean Veltman ’50

Dean Veltman ’50 was among 70 veterans and astronauts who were honored on Friday, Oct. 18, during an annual Memorial Service at Patriot’s Point in Charleston, South Carolina, by the U.S.S. Yorktown Association. He was a chaplain with the United States Navy and was aboard the Yorktown when the Apollo 8 capsule was recovered in… Continue Reading →

Ron Lokhorst ’59

The 1975 Summer Staff from Warwick, New York Conference Center enjoyed a reunion this past October with their beloved former Executive Director, Ron Lokhorst ’59, Mark Convoy ’75, Kristi Droppers ’76, Mary Mulder ’77, Dwayne Boyce ’77, Steve Paffrath ’77, George Beukema ’77, and Bill Agnew ’80 spent a weekend out at Castle Park in… Continue Reading →