Obituaries: April 28, 2026
Mary Berens
October 25, 1939-April 26, 2026
Mary Berens, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, age 86 of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026.
She is survived by her children, Tom and Nancy Hall Berens, and Sue and Bryan Krommendyk; her grandchildren, Anne-Marie Berens, Whitney and Jake Settlemyre, Haley Krommendyk, and Michael Krommendyk; her twin brother Bob and Ida Kamphuis, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lyda and Don Milburn, Larry and Paula Berens, Carol Johnson, Dan and Vicki Berens, Betty DiCesare, and Marlys Berens.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James, and her parents, Egbert and Julianna Kamphuis.
Mary was born on October 25, 1939, in Zeeland. She graduated from Holland Christian High School. She and Jim married and raised their family in Zeeland. Mary waitressed at Community Restaurant and at Jerry’s Country Inn. Mary was a devoted and faithful member at Oakland Christian Reformed Church and North Street Christian Reformed Church, where she has been a member for several years.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. The funeral service to honor the life of Mary will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main St., Zeeland. Interment will be in Bentheim Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to North Street Christian Reformed Church or to Paradise Bound Ministries to build a house in Mary’s honor.
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Ellen B. (Bransfield) Bonney
September 23, 1949-April 22, 2026
Ellen B. Bonney, age 76, of Nunica, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at home.
She was born on September 23, 1949, in Middletown, Connecticut, to the late Edward and Elizabeth (Denuzze) Bransfield. Ellen married Richard "Dana" Bonney on December 4, 1967, at Church of Saint Patrick, East Hampton, Connecticut.
He preceded her in death on March 23, 2015, after 47 years of marriage.
Ellen attended and graduated from Mercy High School, a private, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school in Middletown, Connecticut. In her working years, she owned a fudge shop at Chinook Pier in Grand Haven and helped her husband run their charter boat business at Chinook Pier Fishing, booking charters for the fleet of boats for several years. Ellen also enjoyed doing income tax preparation, working both full and part-time throughout the years.
Ellen loved to play Bingo, watch NASCAR, and go on casino trips. She also loved traveling to Florida and even lived there for a time. Ellen had a kind and gentle heart, and she especially loved to cook and care for others.
Ellen will be lovingly remembered and missed by her son, Rob (Andrea) Bonney of Spring Lake; her four grandchildren, Alexandra (Brad) Ashcraft, and Ryan, Anna, and Parker Bonney; brother, Edward Bransfield Sr.; sister-in-law, Clara Bonney; brother-in-law, William (Joyce) Bonney; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her son, Dana Bonney (2022), and her great-grandson, Maxwell Ashcraft (2025).
Private family services will be held.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ellen B. (Bransfield) Bonney, please visit our floral store.
Emerald Lewis Dodds
December 29, 1929-April 24, 2026
Emerald Lewis Dodds, age 96, of Grandville, Michigan, passed away Friday, April 24, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joy Elaine Dodds; daughters, Ronda Dodds and Reda Meyer; sons-in-law, Clayton Meyer, Robert Jousma, and Theodore Smith; and granddaughters, April and Tina Smith.
Emerald is survived by his children, Dianna Jousma, Robin Smith, Allan (Barb) Dodds, Andrea (Pat) Hopkins; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Emerald spent 36 years working for Steelcase and devoted his time helping friends, family and his church. He was a true believer in God and looked forward to being reunited with his wife, Joy.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Memorial contributions in honor of Emerald may be made to Sunset Legacy Foundation — Rose Garden. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.
Michael "Mick" George Maple
July 16, 1949-April 24, 2026
Michael “Mick” George Maple, age 76, died unexpectedly on Friday, April 24, 2026.
A graduate of the Reeths-Puffer class of 1967, Mick was a talented athlete who attended Central Michigan University on a wrestling scholarship. Following his time at CMU, he completed naval training at the Great Lakes in Chicago and went on to work as an iron worker for 40 years, where he was a dedicated member of the Iron Workers Local 340 in Michigan. Outside of his career, he was an avid golfer and a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers, but his greatest joy was found in the time spent with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Eloise Maple; wife, Kathy Maple; brother-in-law, Barry Wallace; and nephew, Billy Maple. His strength, warmth, and love will be deeply missed by his children, Demetria Friberg and Harmony VanValkenberg; grandchildren, Natalie, Elyse, Ethan, and Jack; siblings, Suzanne Maple, Patrick (Patti) Maple, Deborah (Chris) Maple, Pamela (Jeff) Guy, and Dorene (Jerry) Maple; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A celebration of life will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the VFW Hall, North Muskegon, 1061 Witham Road, Muskegon, MI 49445. All who knew him are welcome to attend and toast to his memory. In lieu of flowers, please consider performing an act of kindness in Mick's honor.
The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.
Ronald Eugene Reyher Sr.
May 31, 1964-April 20, 2026
Ronald Eugene Reyher Sr., age 61, went to be with his Lord on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Reyher and Elizabeth Reyher.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Ronald Reyher Jr., Ryan Reyher; grandchildren, Ronnie, Elizabeth, and Mateo; siblings, Robert (Lisa) Reyher, Frank (Charlotte) Reyher, Steve (Marcia) Reyher, David Reyher, Janiene Bailey, Kevin Pine, Mark (Sheryl) Pine, Debbie (Scott) Ryerson, Cathy Reyher, and Crystal Martha; many nieces and nephews; and friend of the family and best friend, Jerry.
He had an immense love of music, especially classic rock, including the artists Stevie Ray Vaughn, AC/DC, Yes, Fleetwood Mac, REO Speedwagon, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
A private family graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. The family welcomes memories and messages cookcaresgrandville.com in their guest book online.
Douglas Jay Schurman
May 2, 1948-April 25, 2026
Douglas Jay Schurman, age 77 of Holland, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Grand Rapids.
Doug was born in Holland on May 2, 1948, to Lloyd and Laura (Brower) Schurman. A lifelong resident of the Holland area, he was a member of Trinity Reformed Church, where he served as Elder and Deacon, and was a part of the “Monday Morning Work Crew.” Doug worked for L.S. Mold for many years prior to retiring, and could be found golfing or fishing any chance he could. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ross Schurman, and brother-in-law, Ron Voss.
Doug is survived by his wife, Dawn, of 56 years; children, Steve (Amanda) Schurman, James (Cyndy) Schurman, and Sara Moore; seven grandchildren, Taryn, Tyler, Ryann, Teddy, Cody, Liam, and Tristan; sister, Gloria DeJonge; in-laws, Dave (Pat) Voss, Mary Voss, and Mary Lou DeVries; many extended family and friends.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on May 3, 2026, at Trinity Reformed Church, 712 Apple Ave., Holland, Michigan, 49423.
A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. on May 4, 2026, at Trinity Reformed Church, 712 Apple Ave., Holland, 49423.
Memorial contributions may be made in Doug’s memory to Trinity Church.
Please visit lakeshorememorial.com for further information.
Peter "Pete" Veen
April 1, 1938-April 26, 2026
Peter Randall Veen, age 88 of Holland, passed away April 26, 2026.
Pete is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Barbara (Kleder) Veen; children, Phyllis Dykstra, John (Kelli) Veen, Brian (Sheila) Veen; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Terri (Dave) Frazier; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private committal service will be held at Lakewood Cemetery at a later date.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter "Pete" Veen, please visit our floral store.
Valerie Kay Yodhes
November 13, 1937-April 21, 2026
Valerie Kay Yodhes, 88, of Holland, Michigan, and formerly of Detroit, West Bloomfield, Allen Park, and Ann Arbor, died Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at The Inn at Freedom Village in Holland.
Born in Highland Park, Michigan, November 13, 1937, Val spent her first 12 years in the city of Detroit before moving to Walnut Lake in West Bloomfield. She graduated from Birmingham High School in 1955. Val met her husband, John, in Ferndale in 1959. They were married at First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham on July 1, 1960.
The first in her family to attend college, Valerie earned a degree in education from Wayne State University and devoted her career to teaching and early childhood education. She directed the preschool program at Allen Park Presbyterian Church, where she made a lasting impact on many children and families.
In retirement, Val and John moved to Ann Arbor, where they enjoyed sporting events, concerts, lectures, and plays, and were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. They registered student voters on campus and worked the polls during each election. Val developed a strong interest in genealogy. A lifelong fan of jazz, she was a regular listener to WEMU. She loved a good sale, used coupons faithfully, and enjoyed Zentangle.
Val was a laugher. She watched Saturday Night Live from its debut in 1975. She enjoyed games — especially "Monopoly," "Scrabble," and the Family Wordle text thread — and she liked to win. Asked about regrets, she said, “Well, I guess I could be bossy.”
Her greatest joy was being a grandmother to Ian and Caroline. She spent as much time with them as she could — making crafts, taking them on outings and overnights, showing up for their activities, sports, and college events, and keeping up with their lives as adults.
In later years, John and Val moved to Holland to be closer to family and spent the past five years attending Hope Church. Her faith remained a central part of her life. Val lived life on her own terms. And she accepted the end of her life with peace and gratitude for the long, healthy, and independent years she and John shared.
Valerie was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Geraldine (Balsley) Benway; her brother, Howard Benway; and her son, David Yodhes.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, John Yodhes; her daughter, Ann (James) McKnight; and her grandchildren, Ian and Caroline McKnight.
The family is planning a private service.
Arrangements are by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, and condolences may be left online at langelandsterenberg.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Valerie Kay Yodhes, please visit our Sympathy Store.
