Obituaries: March 24, 2026
Marilyn Jean Dykstra
May 9, 1938-March 21, 2026
Marilyn Dykstra of Holland, Michigan, passed away on March 21, 2026.
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Marilyn Ruth Everling
August 24, 1939-March 22, 2026
Marilyn Ruth Everling, age 86, of Hamilton, died Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Marilyn was born in Holland, Michigan, on August 24, 1939, to Gerald and Jennie (Weaver) Rutgers. Marilyn grew up in the Graafschap area and attended Holland Christian High School. She married Ronald Haverdink on January 9, 1959. Marilyn worked at General Electric for 30 years as she raised her family. She retired briefly when the plant shut down, but returned to work at Johnson Controls for several years before retiring officially.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her first husband, Ronald Haverdink in 2008, sons Keith Haverdink and Randall Haverdink, brothers and sisters-in-law Marvin and Ollie Rutgers, Jack and Maxine Rutgers, brothers-in-law David Haverdink, Albert (Bud) Roon, Richard Lawson, Paul Driesenga, Dale Haverdink, and sisters-in-law Judy VanSlooten and Donna Haverdink.
Marilyn was known for her strong Christian faith, her giving heart and listening ear. She was quick to send a card or prepare a meal for someone in need. She loved to craft and spent many years painting ceramics, crocheting afghans and baby blankets, quilting and scrapbooking. She was an avid and competitive card player, loved to play bingo and casino slot machines. Marilyn enjoyed spending time with family and friends at her cottage on Lake Michigan near Silver Lake. She also enjoyed many winters in the retirement RV park in Ft. Myers, Florida. Marilyn deeply loved and cherished her children and grandchildren. She rarely missed a ball game or school performance. She never hesitated to offer to babysit or take a couple grandkids to the cottage to spend quality time with her. Marilyn loved to cook for her family and always prepared enough to feed an army. Her turkey stuffing, macaroni salad, coconut cream dessert and Fourth of July flag cake are the stuff of family legend.
Marilyn is survived and deeply missed by her husband of 14 years, Floyd Everling; children, Scott and Cindy Reed of Fennville, Mike and Sandi Haverdink of Hamilton, Greg and Wendy Haverdink of Zeeland; sister, Sylvia Roon of Acworth, GA; sister and brother-in-law, Dan and Sharon Kadwell of Nampa,
Idaho, Mel and Shirley Stephens of Jacksonville, Arkansas; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Cal and Judy Haverdink, Carol Haverdink, Sally and Brian Nelson and Karen Lawson, all of Holland, Ruth Driesenga of Zeeland and Larry VanSlooten of Victoria, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hamilton Reformed Church, 3554 Lincoln Road, Hamilton. The funeral service to honor the life of Marilyn will be at noon Saturday, March 28, 2026, also at Hamilton Reformed Church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Hamilton. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland or the American Cancer Society. langelandsterenberg.com,
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Ernest Prince
September 25, 1933-March 19, 2026
Ernest (Ernie) Prince went home to be with the Lord, on Thursday, March 19, at the age of 92, having lived a full and blessed life. He began his day with his wife, Judy, at his home in West Olive and by evening was in his Heavenly home. His passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Ernest Prins in Doon, Iowa, in 1933 to Henry and Henrietta Prins. He and his family moved to Holland, Michigan, in 1935. The family changed the spelling of their surname to Prince after the 1930 Federal Census. Ernie graduated from Holland High, served three terms with the Army National Guard in Company D (1950-1960), and received honorable discharges at the end of each term, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.
He worked in the hull department building boats for Chris-Craft. He then worked in industrial construction, which included the power plants on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of which is the JH Campbell plant on Pigeon Lake. Upon retirement, he represented Pine Creek CRC and South Olive CRC as a volunteer with World Renew Disaster Response Services (formerly CRWRC). For more than 10 years, Ernie traveled from coast to coast assisting with disaster response as a construction supervisor.
As an avid sportsman, he played ball with Main Auto and coached the Pine Creek CRC women’s softball team which the whole family was very involved in. He loved fishing, hunting, and being outdoors and shared that love with his wife, daughters, and extended family. Perhaps the thing Ernie and Judy are best known for is their love of fishing. For years, if you wanted to know where the fish were biting, you hailed the “Princess” when out on Lake Michigan. American Tackle and Gold Coast Outfitters tapped into Ernie’s skills for several years, as he delivered the morning fishing report on WHTC. If you knew them well, you surely have fond memories of fish fries and sharing a “toddy” with Ernie and Judy, not only in Michigan, but also at happy hours in Anna Maria, Florida and Rockport, Texas.
Ernie is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Judy (Otten) Prince, and their four daughters: Jill (Will) Wallaker, Jackie (Dan) Vanden Berg, Jenn (Rick) Fett, Jessica (Pieter) Kiwiet; ten grandchildren: Ian Wallaker, Meg Wallaker (Josh Garrett), MJ Wallaker, Blake (Michaela) Vanden Berg, Hailey (Jon) Loeper, Dylan Fett, Ani Fett, Joshua Kiwiet-Pantaleoni, Jordi Rivera Prince (Daniel Turner), Sydney Rivera Prince; and five great grandchildren. One of 13 siblings, Ernie is survived by his sister, Judith DeGraaf, and his sister-in-law, Ruby (Jerry) Prince.
He is preceded in death by eleven of his siblings: Johanna (Ann) Reyes, John Prince, Joseph Prince, Henrietta (Harriet) Ter Haar Dalman, Jeanette (Janet) Ter Haar, Alice Tubergen, Richard Prince, Henry (Chick) Prince, Frances Baumann, Ralph Prince, and Gerald (Jerry) Prince.
A service will be held for Ernie at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Dykstra Northwood Chapel. Following the service, the family will celebrate Ernie’s life and share memories with friends from 4-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to World Renew Disaster Response Services.
Clifford L. Sale
December 14, 1943-March 21, 2026
Clifford Sale, age 82, of Hamilton, died Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Holland Hospital.
Cliff was a member and served at the Hamilton Reformed Church, the Laotian Church, and later in life attended Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. When he and Loie were unable to have children, they selflessly reached out to Bethany Christian Services in hopes of adopting. They also participated in sponsoring two Laotian refugee families, which became part of their own. When not driving truck, he enjoyed playing golf and tinkering with his model train set, which took up most of his backyard. He also attained his private pilot’s license and spent time flying and attending aviation-related events. He retired from Holland Special Delivery and was a veteran of the Army.
Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Lois and is survived by his children; Eric and Annalee Sale, Paula and Doug Vugteveen; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Brittney and John Rich (Luna), Alex and Jessica Sale (Easton, Brently, Charlotte), Jenna and Caleb Block, Nathan Vugteveen; special friend, Sandy DeWys; in-laws, Mary VerBurg, Ruth and John Stanley, Virginia Kleinheksel; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Hamilton Reformed Church, 3554 M-40, Hamilton. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery-Hamilton. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Wings of Mercy or Hospice of Holland.
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Shirley Anne Wells
October 19, 1929-March 10, 2026
Shirley Anne Wells, age 96, of Grand Haven, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on March 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on October 19, 1929, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Albert Mason and Edna Etta (Carey) Mason, Shirley lived a full and remarkable life that spanned nearly a century of cherished memories, enduring relationships, and quiet strength.
Memories from daughter-in-law Elizabeth Wells:
Sometime around 1999, I was hanging out with my friend Mike. We had traveled together to a kennel club event and when we pulled back into his driveway late Sunday afternoon, he said, "I am going across the street to my parents for dinner. Do you want to come?" My reply was "Of course I would love to, but I would not want to just show up uninvited."
He immediately assured me that his mother would not mind and he would call her. He did, and I asked what she said. His answer was simple and to the point: "She said she will put on another potato."
Quite simply, that was Shirley. Always welcoming everyone. A friend of her kids was a friend of hers. Another potato or two could always go in the oven and the table could be pulled out and chairs added. Sunday family meals were for everyone. Shirley was the peacemaker of the kingdom. If someone said something the others didn't like, she would say, "Let them speak! They should be free to say what is on their mind just like the rest of you." We all knew it was time to listen.
On Monday, we laid my mother-in-law Shirley Wells to rest at the local cemetery along with her late husband Leonard. It was very cold, but our family and some close friends gathered around sharing hugs and a few tears. It was just like Shirley would have wanted. Her kids, Linda, Ed and Mike, Andy (Linda's husband) and me and our dear friends. Later, we celebrated Shirley with dessert at Russ's.
Shirley lived a long and mostly healthy life in West Michigan. Born in 1929, she saw a lot of changes over almost a century. Daughter of Edna and Albert Mason, she was the oldest of two girls. Her sister Alice passed away a few years ago. Alice was a hoot! Lively and filled with mischief. She played the fiddle and just about any string instrument. I imagine growing up in the Mason family was always fun, even during the depression.
Shirley married the love of her life a handsome sailor named Leonard Wells on June 8, 1957. They moved to Grand Haven in August of 1964.
And then in 1975, they built their home on Lincoln St. Edna Mason (Shirley's mom) lived across the street from Shirley and Leonard in the same house Mike and I lived in when we were first married. I swear the ghost of Edna was still there. Certainly, some of her stuff was. In their ranch house, Shirley and Len lived with the three Wells kids Linda, Ed and Mike. There were always friends, along with horses, dogs, chickens and cats. I heard a pony even came into the house one day.
Shirley was active in St John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven. She worked in their thrift store for many years and attended faithfully. When Mike and I got married, she welcomed my mom (a fellow Episcopalian) as a new friend. They could talk for hours about anything when my mom would visit.
In 2015, I took Shirley and my mother to Mackinac Island. We stayed overnight and toured the island. What a fun trip that was. They chatted away, and I was their chauffeur and tour director. It was honestly my pleasure and one of the most fun times ever!
Shirley loved to travel, she and her husband Leonard traveled to every duty station that her daughter Linda and Marine Corp husband Andrew were stationed at, Hawaii, California, Maryland and last to Texas.
When Linda and Andy sold their house in Texas, Linda moved in with Leonard and Shirley to care for them both, and was there taking care of Shirley in her final years. Mike and I (and the rest of the family) are forever grateful to Linda for her loving care.
We will celebrate Shirley's life at our home in June and invite family and friends from far and wide. Details will be shared at a future date.
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Constance Veen
May 10, 1944-March 21, 2026
Constance Veen, 81, of Hamilton, Michigan, passed away on March 21, 2026.
She was born on May 10, 1944, in Indiana, to Raymond and Winnie Thomann. Constance graduated from Fennville High School in 1963.
In 1963, while working at a drive-in movie theater, Constance met Jan Veen. They shared more than 50 years together and were blessed with four children. Jan preceded her in death in 2013. In 2022, Constance met Ray, and they shared more than four years together.
One of the greatest joys of Constance’s life was being Grandma. She loved hosting family for the holidays and treasured time spent together. She also enjoyed traveling whenever she could, and she especially loved visiting Missouri, where she and her boyfriend, Ray, frequently spent time.
Constance is survived by her children, Joyce Veen; Amy (John) Washam; Shane (Christy) Veen; and Aaron (Melissa) Veen; and by her grandchildren, Shawn Veen, Netanya Holgeerts, Autumn Lehman, Sierra Hull, Anthony Garcia, Miranda Alcala, Cecilia Lomeli, Lance Holtgeerts, Bobby Washam, Brent Washam, Sativa Diaz, Jacob Veen, Carly Van Hoven, Destiny Gilbert, and Skylar Veen. She is also survived by numerous brothers and sisters as well as many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Raymond and Winnie Thomann, and a grandchild, Steven Chapa.
Visitation will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 26 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. March 26.
Constance will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, 994 Paw Paw Drive, Holland, next to her husband, Jan.
