Obituaries: March 2025

EDITOR'S NOTE: This file will be updated throughout the month as new notices become available.

Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services

Beverly Kemple
Feb. 20, 1927-March 16, 2025

Mrs. Beverly Kemple, age 98, of Spring Lake passed away Sunday, March 16, 2025. She was born February 20, 1927, in Kalamazoo to Orange and May Stevens. She married Richard Kemple and he preceded her in death in 1998.

Beverly loved visiting with family and friends and adored her grandchildren. She will be missed by those who loved and knew her.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Mark Bork; grandchildren: Chris (Cher) Bork, and Kim Verduin; great-grandchildren: Kailanna, Hudson, and Ella. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas and daughter, Susan Bork.

In keeping with her wishes there will be a private family graveside service. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.

Linda "Lin" Portoluri
Dec. 17, 1955-March 18, 2025

Mrs. Linda “Lin” Portoluri, age 69, of Grand Haven passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2025. She was born December 17, 1955, in Coopersville to Laverne and Betty (Short) Dailey. On July 19, 1975, she married Randall Portoluri.

Lin was a member of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish, the Knights of Columbus Woman’s Auxiliary, and the Porsche Club of America.

She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Randall; three children: Shawn (Heather) Portoluri, Jennifer (James) Zuidema, and Samual Portoluri; five grandchildren: Breckin, Bryson, James III, Jude, and Jiovanni; sisters, Debora Hudelson, and Denise Carpenter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laverne and Betty; sister, Janet; and brother, David.

A memorial mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at the St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Interment will take place in Lakeshore Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Lin may be given to Harbor Humane Society or the Haiti Parish Fund – St. Patrick Church. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.

Elizabeth "Betty" Thompson
Jan. 19, 1939-March 5, 2025

Elizabeth “Betty” Thompson, age 86, passed away peacefully in Grand Haven, Michigan, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, following a long illness.

Betty was a resident of Grand Haven since 1976, where she was an active and beloved member of the community who will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Betty moved to Grand Haven with her husband, Terry (“TJ”) Thompson, then a member of the U.S. Coast Guard serving as Officer-in-Charge of Coast Guard Station Grand Haven. Betty was a Registered Nurse at North Ottawa Community Hospital for almost four decades and was recognized as “Nurse of the Year” in 2001. Over her career at North Ottawa Community Hospital, she worked as a surgical nurse on the surgical floor and as an emergency room nurse in the OB unit.

Betty was born on January 19, 1939, to James and Frances (Bettes) McMillan in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She grew up in Wyandotte and St. Ignace, Michigan, and went on to receive her nursing degree from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She married Terry “TJ” Thompson in 1960, and the two of them had two children and spent many wonderful years building a life together until he preceded her in death in 2013.

Betty was passionate about life and giving back to the community. An avid and voracious reader, she spent many years as a volunteer at the Loutit District Library in Grand Haven. She was a regular volunteer supporting the American Legion in Grand Haven and was a longtime congregant at the United Methodist Church of the Dunes where she was a Stephen minister. Betty will be best remembered for her commitment to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Any interest or hobby of her children or grandchildren instantly became her interest. She passed her love of learning, education, music and the arts to them and took tremendous pride in their accomplishments. She was committed to her many friends in the community, who will remember her for always being available in their times of need, many of whom reciprocated her love and support during her time of illness.

Betty is survived by her children, James (a corporate and international attorney now residing in Ann Arbor) and Michael (an orthopedic hand surgeon and U.S. Navy veteran now residing in San Diego) and their spouses, Sandra Thompson and Maren Thompson; five grandsons, Ryan, Alexander, Christopher, Matthew and Michael, and one great-granddaughter; five siblings: James McMillan, Miriam Champion, Laurel Lannen, Marcia Murray and Duncan McMillan; close friend Cathy Bingham and countless other friends and extended relatives.

We would also like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff of Lakeshore Assisted Living Homes in Grand Haven and Julia Parker of Coastal Connect.

A Celebration of Life will be held to commemorate her life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Loutit District Library in Grand Haven or the United Methodist Church of the Dunes. Arrangements entrusted to The Vanzantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI, 49417.

Lawrence Thomas "Larry" Karwoski
Nov. 10, 1946-March 8, 2025

Lawrence Thomas Karwoski (Larry), age 78, passed away at his home in West Olive, Michigan on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Larry was born in Grand Haven, Michigan, on November 10, 1946, to Frank and Dorothy (Behm) Karwoski. He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School and graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1965. Soon after, he completed a technical degree in computing. He joined the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and served our country as a radar technician on an aircraft carrier. Through this, he was able to see many parts of the world — Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, etc. Returning from service, he worked first at Gardner Denver Manufacturing and then Consumers Energy as an electrician. He retired from there in 2002.

Larry was gifted in working with his hands. He loved working on computers. He designed and built his home in West Olive. He tore apart car engines and rebuilt them. In addition, he was an avid nature lover, preferring to capture pictures rather than hunt. He had a good sense of humor, and he was very generous to his family and friends, ever willing to help others with his talents. He loved to travel and made his way to Alaska, and many areas of the Southwest U.S. He often met former Navy buddies in Reno, Nevada for the National Championship Air Races. In retirement, he gardened and pursued nature photography.

Larry will be remembered by his six sisters: Katherine (James) Vogler, of Harietta, Michigan; Teresa (Chet) Krawczyk, of Cedar Springs, MI; Margaret Boyer, of Nunica, MI; Anita (Greg) Parrish, of Holland, Michigan; Dorothy (Glen) Groeneveld, of Grand Haven, Michigan; and Lucy Karwoski Korpi, of West Olive, Michigan. In addition, he has 21 nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grand-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy Karwoski; an infant brother, Francis John; and three sisters: Frances Olech, Rosemary Fritz, and Mary Brown.

We would like to express our gratitude to Hospice of Holland and Cornerstone Caregiving for their kindness and care during his illness. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held this summer at his home, at a date to be announced later. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.

Rev. Dr. Kathryn Lee Roberts
Dec. 21, 1949-March 3, 2025

The Reverend Dr. Kathryn Lee (Bloemers) Roberts, 75, of Grand Haven, Michigan, died the evening of Monday, March 3, 2025.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Roberts; adult daughters, Amy De Witt and Sara (De Witt) Gambrell; son-in-law, David Gambrell; grandchildren, Maxwell Gambrell and Noa Gambrell. In addition to her immediate family, Kathryn is survived by her sisters, Barbara (Bloemers) and Michael Duma, of Spring Lake, Michigan, and Joanne (Bloemers) and Mike Yost, of Arizona. She also leaves behind her husband’s three daughters and his grandchildren.

Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at sytsemafh.com.

John Derouin
Aug. 16, 1940-March 1, 2025

John Derouin, age 84, of Grand Haven, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, at home following a long illness. He was surrounded by family members including his loving wife, Fran Gillissie.

John owned and operated Collee Floor Covering in Muskegon until his retirement. He enjoyed boating, travel, a good glass of wine and spending time with family. He will be missed by his family and friends.

A private celebration of life will be held later this spring. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.

Joshua M. Scripps
Dec. 28, 1970-March 3, 2025

Joshua Michael Scripps, age 54, passed away in Muskegon, Michigan, on Monday, March 3, 2025.

Josh was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 28, 1970, to K. Michael and Cornelia “Connie” (Poulisse) Scripps. He graduated from Grand Haven High School (1989) and was a lifelong resident of the Grand Haven community. Together since 1992, Josh married the former Karla Eisen on June 19, 1999. The two of them shared 33 years together.

Josh was a gifted musician and a talented piano player. He attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for two summers while he was in high school, playing trumpet on a tour in Europe to countries including Germany, Holland and Belgium. In his young adult years, he would play gigs at local restaurants and events. He loved listening to music, especially '90s country and instrumental jazz. He was an avid hockey fan, and for some time, was a season ticket holder for the Muskegon Fury team. He enjoyed going on long walks on sunny days and particularly enjoyed sitting in the sun at the waterfront stadium, listening to live music. Josh had a great sense of humor, and he loved sharing jokes with his family. His use of salty language around those who knew him best, was his way of defying his condition, saying hello, and most of all telling people "I love you!"

Josh will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Karla Scripps; father, Mike Scripps; brother, Matthew Scripps; stepmother, Shelly Scripps; mother-in-law, Sandra Schut and many other friends and family members.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Connie Scripps.

The family wishes to express their enormous gratitude toward everyone at i’move of Spring Lake, Michigan. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Josh will be held at a later date, details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI, 49456.