World War II veteran, military policeman, minister, chaplain, pastoral counselor, and missionary Ben Ypma lived a full and joyful life. He died on March 7, a month after his hundredth birthday.
In Memoriam
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Ordained in 1954 and with a nearly 40-year career with the Christian Reformed Church, Earl Dykema passed away on March 1. He was 90 years old.
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Roger Van Harn, an ordained pastor of the Christian Reformed Church for 42 years, died on Feb. 9. He was 86.
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Jerry Frens, who was still active as a part-time chaplain, died unexpectedly and tragically on Feb. 15, after being struck by a vehicle near his home. He was 75.
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A “pastor's pastor,” who displayed faithfulness and trust in God, Chris Schroeder died on January 19, six years following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.
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Andrew Bandstra, professor emeritus of New Testament theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, loving and dedicated family man, and committed friend, died on Feb. 8 at the age of 92.
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After serving as a pastor for 40 years in Christian Reformed churches in four states and enjoying retirement in Spokane Valley, Wash., Herman Leestma passed away on January 17. He was 93.
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John Primus was remembered as a scholar, a dedicated teacher, and one who modeled Jesus Christ in humility and kindness. He died on November 5 at age 86.
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John Cooper, 94, was a Christian Reformed pastor with an unwavering faith in God’s love. He died on October 16.
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Mechanic, pastor, and poet Walt DeRuiter lived his life according to Micah 6:8.
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Steadfastly committed to his lifelong calling of preaching, prayer, and pastoral care, Ken Koeman died peacefully on August 8, after a brief illness. He was 75.
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Bill Kooienga, a warm, kind, gentle, thoughtful, joy-filled man of God, and a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for 38 years, passed away peacefully on July 12. He was 82.
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Ralph Bronkema, church planter, chaplain, pastor, passed away on July 30. He was 88.
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Bert Den Herder, having ministered in Christian Reformed churches from 1955 to 1989, died on June 30 at the age of 94.
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Ralph Baker, who served with Christian Reformed World Missions among the Tiv people in Nigeria for 35 years, died on June 29 at the age of 94.
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As a chaplain, Bob Brummel was a listener, a comforter, and a guide to those who were suffering. He died in Grand Rapids on May 9.
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Peter Borgdorff loved the Lord, his family, the Christian Reformed Church, and the church worldwide. He died May 21 at age 78.
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Kraker was a big man with a big laugh, a wonderful sense of humor, and a love for adventure. He died April 9.
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“My dad was an ordinary boy from an ordinary family from an ordinary neighborhood in an ordinary town called Muskegon,” said one of Howard Vanderwell’s sons at his memorial service.
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Boer will be remembered for his kindness and understanding, for his unique sense of humor,
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John Timmer came from a family that for generations had faithfully sown the seeds of the Word of God into the hearts of the next.
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Having served more than 30 years as a pastor, missionary, chaplain, and counselor, Harry Van Dam, died on Feb. 4 at 86.
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Albert Vanden Pol touched many people with his pastoral heart and gentle spirit. He died on January 24 in Surrey, B.C.
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A humble man with an ecumenical spirit and a warm, welcoming smile, Vugteveen died on February 1, at the age of 84.