Obituaries: December 2025

Mark Wayne "Spawnee" Chittenden
January 23, 1957-November 30, 2025

Mark Wayne “Spawnee” Chittenden, age 68 of Spring Lake, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025, at his home following a brief illness.

He was born January 23, 1957, in Muskegon, to Robert Wayne and Edith Mae (Swanson) Chittenden.

Mark graduated from Spring Lake High School, where he was an accomplished member of the swim team. He worked at numerous car repair businesses: Don Rosso Chevrolet, Sharp Buick and BMW, Berger Chevrolet, and owned and operated R & M Autobody, serving many people for their car repairs. His nickname, “Spawnee,” came from his love of fishing for Steelhead on the pier or rivers and “Big Lake” fishing. He also loved deer hunting, but was unable to go this year due to health reasons.

Mark enjoyed every moment and memory in all seasons at the family cottage at Sleeping Bear Dunes. His other hobbies included water skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and skateboarding.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Rianne Chittenden of Portland, Oregon; his son, Dan Chittenden of Spring Lake; and his brother, Rusty Chittenden.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Wayne “Bob” Chittenden, in 1988.

There will be no formal service or visitation. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at sytsemafh.com.

Claudia Olsen
August 21, 1952-November 26, 2025

Mrs. Claudia Olsen, age 73, of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at home.

She was born August 21, 1952, in Grand Haven to Frank and Dorothy (Schuett) Raha. On May 12, 1973, she married Jan Olsen.
 
Claudia worked many years at Braaks Bakery and D&W. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she taught catechism and provided holy communion to the elderly, and spent many hours of holy adoration of her Lord Jesus Christ as a devoted Catholic. Claudia also loved working in her garden and will be greatly missed.
 
Claudia is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jan; two sons, Leif (Tracy) Olsen, Jan (Christina) Olsen; grandchildren: Dakota Olsen, Leif Olsen, Gracie Olsen; brother, Tim Raha; sisters: Theresa (Larry) Murphey, Mary Lou North, Nancy (Bruce) Carter, and sister-in-law, Berit Herman; many nieces and nephews and cousins.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with a Rosary being said at 10 a.m. before the service. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.

Edward "Ed" Donald Siemion
July 28, 1938-November 25, 2025

Edward "Ed" Donald Siemion, age 87, of Grand Haven, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

He was born on July 28, 1938, the sixth of seven children, to Adam and Mary (Duda) Siemion at their family home on Johnson Street in Robinson Township, Michigan.

Ed attended North Robinson School through eighth grade. Over the years, he did truck farming for Al Veenema, worked at MichiGreen Nursery, Challenge Porcelain, and retired from the Ottawa County Courthouse, where he worked as a custodian for many years.

Ed was a multi-talented man who sketched, painted, wrote poetry, composed songs, played various musical instruments, and even patented a couple of inventions. However, he was most well-known for his amazing, carved, wooden fish.

He enjoyed golfing and fishing with his many friends and participated in Church activities at St. Patrick's and St. Anthony's, where he was a member for many decades. With his extended family, he often took fishing and camping trips to the U.P. and Canada. In later years, he and his sister, Doris, took trips to casinos, festivals, and flea markets.

Ed was a generous man who spent years caring for his mother and helping elderly neighbors and friends with their chores and errands. While working at the courthouse, he often bought shoes and clothing for youthful offenders who needed such items.

Ed's final years were spent living at MediLodge at the Shore in Grand Haven, where staff described him as the "cool kid." He loved socializing with other residents, passing out cards on Valentine's Day, giving away candy at Halloween, attending church services, and playing BINGO!

Ed's family would like to thank the wonderful MediLodge staff for the amazing care he received there over the last three years, and they would also like to thank Corewell Health Hospice for the care they provided during his last week.

Ed is survived by his two sisters, Doris Cech and Anna Mae Schippers; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Mary (Duda) Siemion; sisters and brothers-in-law: Marie and Owen (Bud) Volkema, Catherine and Al Karpp, Joan Siemion, Arlene and Pete Appel, Ron Cech, and Joe Schippers.

The funeral mass for Ed will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2025, at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish with Fr. Dan Schumaker officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Lakeshore Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Parish.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward "Ed" Donald Siemion, please visit our floral store.

John Oren Snoek
October 8, 1938-November 29, 2025

John Oren Snoek, age 87, of Robinson Township, passed away at home on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

His wish was to have his last days at the home he loved so much. He was born on October 8, 1938, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to the late Clarence and Ana (Samargia) Snoek. John married Patricia Lou Miller on September 21, 1974, in Grand Haven. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2020, after 46 years of marriage.

John grew up in Grand Haven and graduated from Grand Haven High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard as a cook, which he loved. After his time in the service, he worked as a plant manager at Midwest Pipe Co. in Grand Haven, the site where Home Depot is currently located. John retired from Midwest and shortly after that, he began working for his brother at Snoek Inc. It was a family affair.

John was the epitome of a hardworking man, and he worked full-time while running a farm and beekeeping for many years; his honey was always in high demand. He was a man who people knew they could count on to give them his time, advice on farming, bees, and many other things. Those who really knew him knew he was one of a kind!

John raised many animals, including beef cattle, which he processed, and he was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting during deer season. One time, he even brought a donkey home in the back seat of his convertible. John continued to hay, process beef, and harvest honey until his 87th birthday. His goal was to hit the 90-year mark, but cancer took that from him.

John was an avid bowler for over 60 years, who even bowled one 300 game in his bowling career, which he was pretty proud of. He surrounded himself with many close friends: Mike McCaleb, Mike Ott, John "Johnny O" Olechnowicz, Chet Stolarz, Ron Klop, Paul Smeenge, Jody Ryder, and many more. Oh, the stories these men can tell about their time in the barn with Farmer John. Drinking his homemade wine, cutting up beef, and tossing a piece into the "frying pan" to cook up when all is done. He loved watching football and baseball, and he loved his Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers. If you ever called him while the game was on, you had better have a good reason.

John met with the guys every morning for breakfast at a local restaurant where they would talk about all that was happening in Grand Haven. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Parish, the Grand Haven Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 925, and the Knights of Columbus.

John is survived by his two daughters, Melody (Randy) Holcomb and Teresa (Tom) Racette; his son, Robert Snoek; daughter-in-law, Patricia Snoek; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Marian Ranft, Dorena Dodds, Ruth Taber, and Libby (Bill) Chase; and his trusted sidekick, Maggie, his golden retriever

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Jody Williams; sons: John Marcus Snoek, Joseph Oren Snoek, and Leo Stanley Frayer; and brother, Robert Snoek.

The Memorial Mass for John will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish with Fr. Charles Hall officiating. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Interment will be at Robinson Township Cemetery in the spring 2026.

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 Oren Snoek, please visit our floral store.

Bonnie K. (Van Cura) Vander Zwaag
May 23, 1947-December 2, 2025

Bonnie K. Vander Zwaag, age 78, of Grand Haven, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Robbinswood Assisted Living.

She was born on May 23, 1947, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to the late Emil and Mable (Jeske) Van Cura Sr. Bonnie married Lambert Vander Zwaag on February 19, 1972, in Grand Haven. He preceded her in death on March 24, 1999, after 27 years of marriage.

Bonnie worked for Grand Transformers for several years before retiring, then worked part-time for Tip-A-Few. She graduated from Grand Haven High School and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Bonnie especially enjoyed spending time with her family and loved seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, working on puzzles, and loved to dance. Bonnie was a social butterfly and was loved by everyone who met her.

Bonnie will be lovingly remembered and missed by her son, William "Will" (Natalie) Vander Zwaag and their children, Justin and Makayla; son, Mark (Traci) Vander Zwaag and Mark's daughter, Felecia; step-daughter, Sandy Vander Zwaag; step-son, Allen Vander Zwaag Sr. and his children, Mandy (Bruce) Samdal and Allen (Ashlie) Vander Zwaag, Jr.; and seven great-grandchildren: Taya, Bryce, Ashlynn, Easton, Violet, Ryder, and Rhett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lambert; brother, Emil (Carol) Van Cura Jr.; sister, Nancy Jerovsek; and step-daughter-in-law, Sue Vander Zwaag.

A celebration of life visitation for Bonnie will take place 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grand Haven with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial contributions may be given to a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bonnie K. (Van Cura) Vander Zwaag, please visit our floral store.