Obituaries: April 1, 2026
James G. Boeve
December 2, 1935-March 30, 2026
James Gordon Boeve, age 90, of Holland, died Monday, March 30, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Benjamin and Matthew; a sister, Betty Evans; and a brother, Dale Boeve.
A dedicated community member and a man of many talents, Jim lived a life defined by hard work and a vibrant spirit. A faithful member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, he channeled his energy into a distinguished sales career that spanned decades, including notable roles at Fort’s Candies and culminating in his retirement from Kloosterman Distributing at the remarkable age of 84.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jim was an exceptional athlete with a deep passion for baseball, showcasing his skills on the mound as a pitcher for both the Holland Flying Dutchman and the U.S. Army team. He enjoyed singing and was a member of the Holland Windmill Chorus as well as the American Legion. Most notably, Jim was a proud patriot who served his country with distinction in two branches of the military: first in the U.S. Marines from 1952 to 1954, followed by the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956.
Jim leaves behind a rich legacy through his beloved family, survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Iola.
His memory will be cherished by his children, Heidi Weir, and Kenneth and Debra Boeve, and their eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Jim’s life was further enriched by his step-children, Ronald and Ronda Oppenhuizen, Cynthia and James Shadley, and Christine and Rick Kooiker, as well as an additional eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He is also fondly remembered by a close-knit extended family of several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services with military honors will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1015 E. 32nd St., Holland, Michigan, 49423. Visitation will be before the service at 9:30-10:45 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude's Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, or Covenant Presbyterian Church.
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John E. Deal
March 6, 1947-March 29, 2026
John E. Deal, age 79, of Spring Lake, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Heartwood Lodge.
He was born on March 6, 1947, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to the late Earl and Inez (Waldron) Deal.
John graduated from Grand Haven High School, Class of 1965, and went on to work for many years as a dispatcher with Central Transport in Muskegon. He later continued his career with Grand Rapids Transport in Jenison, where he remained until his retirement in 2009.
John was well known for his "famous ribs" and took great joy in grilling and cooking for others. In his free time, he also enjoyed watching movies and playing cribbage.
John is forever remembered and missed by his daughters, Nicole (Darren) Vilminot and Charity (Craig) Hutchins; his sons, Todd Deal and Christian (Lindsay) Deal; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sister, Sheila Koster.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Erik Mason; five brothers: Allen Waterloo, Harold Green, Gordon Green, Larry Deal, and Richard Deal; and three sisters: Marilyn Anderson, Charlene Robinson, and Cheryl Wildey.
Private family services will be held.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Health at Home Hospice - Grand Haven.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John E. Deal, please visit our floral store.
Patti Jo (McKay) Gray
April 8, 1956-March 29, 2026
Patti Jo Gray, age 69, of Spring Lake, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at home.
She was born on April 8, 1956, in Superior, Wisconsin, to the late Rollin and Patricia (Pearson) McKay. Patti married Steven Gray on April 9, 1982, in Grand Haven.
Patti graduated from Spring Lake High School, Class of 1974. She enjoyed reading, traveling, and especially spending time with her grandkids.
Patti will be lovingly remembered and missed by her loving husband of 43 years, Steve; her daughter, Taylor Gray (fiancé, Scott Brownlee); her son, Josh (Sarah) Gray; two grandchildren, Ava and Peyton Gray; two sisters, Debra (Don) Curtis and Bonnie (Ken) Lewis; brother, Kelly (Robin) McKay; and sister-in-law, Lori (Jim) Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Ted McKay.
The funeral service for Patti will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Doug Bytwerk officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Spring Lake Township Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patti Jo (McKay) Gray, please visit our floral store.
Karen Marie Hirdes
December 1, 1946-March 30, 2026
Karen Marie Hirdes passed away on March 30, 2026, at the age of 79.
Karen lived in Rothbury, Michigan.
A memorial visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. on April 12, 2026, at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, Michigan 49424.
Steve Kraai
August 13, 1953-March 31, 2026
Steve Kraai, age 72, of Zeeland, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine; his children, Aaron Kraai, and Amber Ter Haar; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Savannah and Brian Klokkert (Kinsley, Kollyns, and Caroline), Selena and Brandon Blauwkamp (Baker, and Brodie), Sage and Rylee Kraai, Trevor and Anna Ter Haar, Elyse and Kainan Bayn, and AJ Ter Haar; his siblings, Mike and Linda Kraai, and Lynn Kraai; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Erwin and Linda South, Delwyn and Jan South, and Bette and Robert Schrotenboer.
Steve lived a life of service to his community and country. He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard, where he was an MP. Steve served as a chaplain at the Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion, and he served on the honor guard at Henry Walters VFW Post 2144. Steve also had his own ministry of visiting shut-ins and veterans. Steve was a volunteer firefighter at the Blendon/Olive Township fire department and served as the assistant fire chief. He was on the state board of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Steve was a member of Foundry Church. He was a former choir director at his church and the choir director of the Heritage Singing Men. He went on a mission trip to China to distribute Bibles, a mission trip to Mississippi to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina and he went three times on a mission trip to Guatemala.
Steve retired from SEMCO Energy, where he worked for 45 years, and 37 of those years as a supervisor.
A time of visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Foundry Church, 425 100th Ave., Zeeland, with his memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Steve Kraai, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Keith Ronald Lindquist
April 6, 1971-March 31, 2026
Keith Ronald Lindquist passed away on March 31, 2026, at the age of 54.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. June 13, 2026, at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland, Michigan 49424.
Emma Marie Melcher
February 11, 1929-March 29, 2026
With a life that spanned nearly a century, Emma Marie Melcher brought a unique blend of German heritage and American spirit to all she did.
A resident of Grand Haven, Michigan, she passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on March 29, 2026, at Robinswood Assisted Living.
Born Emma Marie Fischer on February 11, 1929, in the small town of Leipheim, Bavaria, Germany, to Babette Fischer and her stepfather Anton Weigl, Emma's early life was shaped by the immense challenges of her time. As a teenager during World War II, she was drafted into the German Army at age 14 to work on Messerschmitt airplanes.
After the war, she worked for Telefunken in Germany. It was there, in a local nightclub, that she met Charles Melcher, an American soldier stationed at a nearby army air base. They married in 1956, and a year later, she immigrated to the United States with her young son, Anton. After living for a time in Springfield, Missouri and on the Army base at Fort Leonard Wood, where she worked as a waitress, she eventually settled in Michigan. For many years, she was a dedicated machine operator at Michigan Plastics until her retirement.
Emma was a woman of particular tastes and high standards, known for her meticulous nature and an unwavering commitment to order and cleanliness. Her home was her sanctuary, and she found great satisfaction in keeping it immaculate. She enjoyed the simple pleasures, like gardening and the companionship of her son's dog, Pogo. Her life was rich with relationships, though she outlived many dear friends. Later, after her divorce, she shared a 15-year relationship with Will Estes until his passing. She was blessed with a 21-year relationship with Robert "Bob" Knoll until his passing three years ago at the age of 100. Emma's sharp wit remained with her always, often on display in playful arguments with her son.
She is lovingly remembered by her son, Anton (Rebecca) Fischer; her grandson, Anton (Michelle) Fischer Jr.; her great-granddaughter, Savannah; her step-grandsons, Trae (Candace) Edwards and Dustin Edwards; and her step-great-grandchildren, Landon and Kennedy. She is also missed by her dear friend Lou (Lusetta) Barbrick.
Emma was predeceased by her parents.
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George J Moes
January 26, 1931-February 6, 2026
George Moes, age 95, passed away on February 6, 2026, at his home surrounded by family.
He attended Montello Park school, where he graduated from the eighth grade. Leaving school life for work life, he started at Ebelink Flowers, where he made a very proud 12 cents per hour and drove the flower delivery truck at age 14. He would move on to Baker Furniture and eventually Lankheet Construction. In the mid-70s, Moes Construction became a reality, installing pools. The business is now run by the third generation. The business would be a place of joy and memories for the family.
The classic Moes Construction truck in the driveway was always a sign that he was home, likely sitting in his recliner, taking in a Tigers or Lions game. The shop itself was often a place for his grandkids to come and sit in the showroom hot tubs, while he worked in the back room. He took pride in his business and frequently made pool calls to customers on weekends, evenings and holidays.
He married the love of his life, Eleanor Klungle, and they enjoyed 73 years of marriage before her passing in 2023. He loved her so sweetly, especially at the end of her life, waiting on her and serving her in the way she served him for many years. It's hard to imagine how beautiful their reunion was in heaven.
His grandkids were his pride and joy, and they brought a softness to his hardworking demeanor. He loved to tell them stories. The legacy would continue on to the great-grandkids, who somehow managed to pull out an even softer side to him.
George loved his Savior, served his church, and faithfully built a family that would do the same. A life well lived by a man well loved.
He is predeceased by his wife, Eleanor; granddaughter, Lisa; sisters Genevieve Snyder and Gertrude Bleeker Van Rhee and their spouses; in-laws Nick Klungle, Leonard Klungle, Jacob Klungle, Janet Geertman, Charles Klungle, Sue Myrick, John Klungle, Nelson Klungle, Ila Schutt and their spouses.
He is survived by his children, Tom and Jan Moes, Craig and Ellen Moes, Jane and Brian Borr and Jeff and Beth Moes; grandchildren, Julie and Doug Smith, Ryan Moes, Peter and Daysha Moes, Betsy and Mark DeBruin, Jon and Jacqui Borr, Abby and Ian Banks, Lydia and Trent Miller, Ben and Page Moes, Simeon and Piper Moes and 18 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by in-law, Ruth Klungle.
A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Friday, April 10, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service at Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holland Hospital Fund Development or Hospice of Holland.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George, please visit our floral store.
