Class Year: 1960

George Phillip Bitner, age 85, of Spring Lake passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at American House in Spring Lake. He was born April 27, 1937, in Spokane, Wash., to William H. and Helen M. (Wood) Bitner. George married Eunice M. Stenberg on February 28, 1986, in Spring Lake. George graduated from Sturgis High School… Continue Reading →

James Mark Kranendonk died Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the Charlton Manor Rest Home at the age of 89. He leaves a son, Michael Kranendonk and his wife Patricia, of Columbia S.C.; daughter Sylvia Juron and her husband David, of Charlton, Mass.; and son Brian Kranendonk of Malta, N.Y. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren,… Continue Reading →

Bruce Parsil passed away peacefully at home with Christy and friend attending under hospice care on the evening of Wednesday, May 25. He had turned 85 on May 5. Bruce and Christy’s 40th wedding anniversary would have been in December of this year. He will be deeply missed by Christy, his family, and his many… Continue Reading →

Lois Kathryn Cary (Garber), age 82 of East Lansing, Michigan and a former resident of Sturgis passed away Friday, December 23, 2022 at the Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. She was born in Manhattan, New York, on June 6, 1940, the daughter of the late Dr. Kathryn Small Garber and Dr. Clarence Zent Garber. Lois’… Continue Reading →

Peggy Ann went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 29,2023 peacefully in her sleep at 12:38 at‘Comforts of Home Senior Care’. She was born at Abington Hospital in Abington PA. in Montgomery County growing up on Willow Brook Farm, as the only daughter of Margaret H. White and Harry Lewis Kahler PhD.(chemistry)… Continue Reading →

David Charles Needham April 17, 1936 – December 11, 2022 David Charles Needham entered the Church Triumphant on December 11, 2022 at the age of 86. He began his life in Plainfield, New Jersey on April 17, 1936, the eldest of four children born to Lt. Col. (Ret.) John A. Needham, Sr. and Alice Freeman… Continue Reading →

Dr. Johanna Van Lente taught German at NIU for 33 years. She was born in Carbondale, Illinois, where her father was a Professor of Chemistry. Jo attended Hope College for two years before returning to SIU where she earned her B.A. Johanna then was accepted into the graduate program for German at Northwestern University where… Continue Reading →

Daughter (Clifford and Helen Riemersma), midwestern girl (Alma, Michigan), sister, wife, teacher (DPS-George Washington H.S. English), loyal friend. In the early 1960’s she went west to take a teaching job in Denver, Colorado. The Centennial State became her forever home. Small in stature. Huge in intellect and memory. Janet favored hummingbirds and fine simple clothes,… Continue Reading →

The Rev. Esther was born Sept. 23, 1941, in Buffalo, N.Y. He was proud to begin his career at the First Reformed Church in Rochester, N.Y., where he and his wife, Alison, began their family. They made close friends with members of the congregation, who introduced them to what became their favorite place to spend… Continue Reading →

Richard McFall, Hope graduate 1963, died Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 3:30am Pacific Time at home. He is survived by his sons: Ryan, Hope ’93 and Computer Science professor, and Kelly McFall, daughter-in-law Leanne (VandeBuntel) Mc Fall ’93, 5 grandchildren including Nathaniel McFall ’25. Continue Reading →

Gerald C. Schneider, age 80, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Gerald was raised in New Jersey and attended Hope College. He loved music and was a DJ for a time in Grand Haven, MI and Reno, NV. He loved the Reno area where he lived for several years. He started several small businesses,… Continue Reading →

Marcia Immink, age 80, passed away on Saturday, January 21st. Marcia was born to Harold “Hud” and Lucinda Osterink on February 23, 1942. She graduated from Holland High School and Hope College, received her Master’s degree from MSU and taught at Bauer Elementary in Hudsonville. Marcia is survived by her husband Earle; children Melissa ’96… Continue Reading →

Arthur (Art) J. Kramer lived a rich life full of people that he loved, adventures that he embraced, and kindness that he shared. He was an amazing storyteller, athlete, woodworker and family man. Perhaps his greatest impact was that he was an incredible educator and mentor. He could easily connect with anyone, and had an… Continue Reading →

Robert Mackay, 80, of Lexington, Ky., formerly of St. Joseph passed away on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, in Novi, Mich. A celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph with Pastor Dan Colthorp officiating. Friends may visit… Continue Reading →