Class Year: 1950

Donald Bulthuis, age 93, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Donald served in the US Army in WWII. He was a graduate of Hope College and University of Michigan where he earned his Master’s in Education. He was a member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, former member of… Continue Reading →

Ruth Elaine (Vander Ploeg) Carson, 91, passed away June 3, 2020 at her home. She was born to Theodore Leslie and Pearl Johanna (Tanis) Vander Ploeg in Grand Rapids Michigan on September 2nd, 1928. A 1946 graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, Ruth went on to complete her undergraduate work at Hope College and graduate work at Michigan State University where she met the… Continue Reading →

“The song is ended but the melody lingers on” – Myron E.Hermance, Jr. joined the heavenly choir on January 28th when his soul returned to his Maker. His demise at Ellis Hospital was due to 2 strokes, leaving him unable to recover. “Deep River” He was born in Hudson, NY on May 7, 1928, the… Continue Reading →

Caryl Anne (Paarlberg) Koopman passed into eternal rest on May 9, 2020. Caryl was born on February 2, 1928 in South Holland, Illinois, to Cornelius P. and Mary ( Veld) Paarlberg. While attending Hope College in 1946 she began dating Don Koopman. Their courtship continued through her nurses training in Chicago. Don and Caryl were… Continue Reading →

Barbara Ann (Van Neuren) Taylor died peacefully Wednesday, March 25, 2020, after nearly 91 fruitful and happy years on this earth. Barb was born on April 5, 1929, in Grand Rapids, MI, the daughter of John and Henrietta VanNeuren. While she grew up during the Depression, her father always made the days seem special, and… Continue Reading →

After a brief illness, Dr. Glenn E. Petroelje, 88, of Holland, MI passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Blodgett Hospital surrounded by his children. Glenn was born on February 23, 1932 in Zeeland to Gerrit and Georgianna Petroelje and was the second of their 5 sons. Glenn attended Holland Christian High School. While there,… Continue Reading →

Douglas van Gessel ’52 of Artesia, California, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. He was 89. Survivors include his daughter, Jerrianna Kimmons ’76 van Gessel Continue Reading →

Dr. George J. Hoekstra, age 88, of Holland (formerly of Kalamazoo and West Olive), passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020. He was born on December 18, 1931, in Chicago, IL, to Louis and Lena (Bosch) Hoekstra. George graduated from Holland Christian High School, attended Hope College for three years, and then went on to… Continue Reading →

Robert F. Langwig March 21, 1932 May 30, 2020 Bob Langwig was born in Albany, New York, on March 21, 1932 and entered into life eternal on May 30, 2020. His life’s calling was to the pastoral ministry and he attended Hope College and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He served the Presbyterian Church through pastorates in Michigan,… Continue Reading →

Don Miller passed away peacefully in Bellevue, Washington on February 6 at age 88, surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren and wife of 67 years. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 30, 1931, the only child of C. Edgar and Erma Miller. The family of three later settled in Michigan where Don attended… Continue Reading →

Reverend Joseph B. Muyskens of Homewood passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife Jean (nee Harmelink); his children Karen (Tom Ryan), Paul (Holly), Ruth (Philip Postlewaite), and JoAnne; and his grandchildren Jeffrey, Nikki (Greg Birdsall), Kate (Ray Hsiao), and Matthew. Joseph was born to… Continue Reading →

Robert J. Nelsen, on December 20, 2019, of Rutherford, NJ, age 92.  Robert was born in Union City, NJ and was a WWII Army Veteran.  Before retiring, he had worked as a teacher for the Rutherford Board of Education. Continue Reading →

Laverne “Vern” Barkel, 88, of Holland, Michigan passed away on April 19, 2020. Vern, a devout husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to countless others was taken by the COVID-19 virus and he is home with his Lord and Savior. He was eternally devoted to his wife of 62 years, Marjorie, family and extended family. Vern… Continue Reading →

Gerald Jacobson ’54 of Whitehall, Michigan, passed away peacefully April 19, 2020. He was born April 29, 1931, in Muskegon, the son of Helen and Jacob Jacobson. Gerald grew up in Muskegon Heights and attended Muskegon Heights Public School System. Gerald’s athletic legacy began playing ball for the “Tigers” as well as the “City League.”… Continue Reading →

Richard Weisiger, age 90, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY. He served in the US Army from 1951-53 in Leipheim, Germany as an instructor at NCO Academy. He graduated from Hope College with his education degree. He was a school principal for most of his career at Coolidge… Continue Reading →

Don Maxam, a 1955 graduate of Hope college passed away at home on June 3, 2020. He is survived by his wife Elsie Maxam of Silver Spring Maryland, daughter Leslie Maxam and grandson Luka of Kensington Maryland and his son Daniel Maxam of Grandville Michigan. Dr. Maxam was a sociology professor at Central College In… Continue Reading →