Obituaries: June 29, 2026
Ethel Jean Carpenter
February 12, 1935-June 26, 2026
Ethel Jean Carpenter passed on June 26, 2026, at the age of 91.
Born on February 12, 1935, Ethel Jean Carpenter was a resident of Holland, Michigan.
Nickolas Jay Vander Veen
October 6, 1947-June 25, 2026
With grateful hearts for a life well lived and faith well kept, we celebrate the life of Nickolas Jay Vander Veen, who was welcomed home by his savior on June 25, 2026, at the age of 78.
Nick lived a life marked by deep faith, steadfast love for his family, and unwavering devotion to his country. Above all else, he loved Jesus Christ. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, guiding his words, his actions, and the example he set for everyone who knew him.
Nick proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His love for America was evident throughout his life, and he considered it a privilege to have served his nation.
While he was proud of his military service, his greatest pride and joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished Poppy, compassionate pastor, and treasured friend. He was a master at offering wisdom, encouragement and unwavering support to each generation. His family knew they were deeply loved.
Those who knew Nick will remember his quiet strength, amazing jokes, humble spirit, generous heart, and steadfast character. He believed in doing what was right, serving others, and trusting God through every season of his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ryven and Merle Vander Veen, and siblings Snooks, Gary and Skip.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barb; children, Brad (Kelli) Vander Veen, Brenda (Brent) Thelen, Mark (Jen) Vander Veen, Kim (Dan) Velderman, and Kurt (Lisa) Vander Veen; grandchildren, Derek (Liz) Vander Veen, Mariah (Alex) Miller, Hailee (Andy) Damon, Gavin Thelen, Caden Thelen, Evan Thelen, Jayden Thelen, Tori Vander Veen, Elli (Hudson) Black, Samantha Vander Veen, Simon Vander Veen, Makayla (Peter) Vos, Cameron Velderman, Reid Velderman, Crew Vander Veen, and Finley Vander Veen; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Rylynn, Truett, Ozzie, Belle, Eliya, and Haven; siblings, Joyce Smith, Dan (Bonnie) Vander Veen, Pam (Scott) Segard, Marica Lemson, Karen (Tim) Zuidema, Rob Vander Veen; in-laws Donna (Jon) Stellema, Doug (Rachel) TerBeek, Sally (Michael) Polivan, Ruth (John) Scott, and David (Renee) TerBeek.
Though we miss him deeply, we take comfort in knowing he is now home with the Lord he loved and served so faithfully. His legacy of faith, patriotism, integrity, and love will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know him.
A visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. with military honors. A private, family-only, interment will follow at Allendale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to The Road Map ministry at theroadmap.org. It would bless Nick to know that an organization that supports veterans is being cared for in his honor. The family also welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in Nickolas' online guestbook.
Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Joan Ellen (VanLoo) Wambaugh
December 20, 1946-June 25, 2026
Joan Ellen VanLoo Taylor Wambaugh, age 79, of Grand Haven, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital, from complications related to ALS.
She was born on December 20, 1946, in Holland, Michigan, to the late Peter Clarence and Aleda (VanderHaagen) VanLoo. Joan married Russell Neal Wambaugh on December 1, 1984, in Fremont, Michigan. He preceded her in death on August 27, 2007, after 22 years of marriage.
Joan lived a life centered around family, simple joys, and the community she loved. She spent most of her life in Grand Haven, Michigan, a place that always held a special place in her heart. She was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose presence touched many lives.
Joan enjoyed drawing, reading, watching crime dramas and murder mysteries, and playing internet games. She was also a devoted and proud cat mom to her beloved companion, Baby.
Joan leaves behind those who will forever cherish her memory which include her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda Taylor-Nielson and Russell Nielson; her daughter and son-in-law, Marjory and Michael Rios; her nine treasured grandchildren, Michelle Goodin, Brittany Carlson, Taylor Shannon, Melissa Goodin, Brianna Rios, Michael Rios, Christen Shannon, Riley Rios, and Russell Nielson III; three great-grandchildren, Juria Taylor Rios, Sophia Watkins, and Eleanor Carlson; and her brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Suzanne VanLoo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell Wambaugh; and her former husband and father of her children, Robert James Taylor.
Joan will be remembered for her quiet strength, her love of family, her creativity, and the joy she found in life's simple pleasures. Her memory will live on in the stories shared, the lessons remembered, and the love she gave so freely to those around her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.
Private family services will be held.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joan Ellen (VanLoo) Wambaugh, please visit our floral store.
