Obituaries: Oct. 9, 2026
Our sympathies are with these local families.
Janice Mae DeYoung
April 9, 1948-October 4, 2026
Janice Mae (Merrifield) DeYoung, age 78, of Grandville, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026, peacefully at her home.
She was born on April 9, 1948, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to Mildred Eleanor (Collard) Merrifield and John Henry Merrifield. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1966. In 1970, she went on her first date with Tom to a Michigan-Michigan State football game and the two fell fast in love. On January 15, 1972, they were married in Mount Pleasant and went on to raise three smart, beautiful, and loving daughters, Lynn, Julie, and Katie, in Grandville, Michigan.
Jan was a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother to her seven grandchildren. She was a dedicated file clerk at Rhoades McKee, retiring after 50 years. Many of her lifelong friends were co-workers at the law firm. She was always on the go, enjoying her grandchildren’s sporting and music events, family gatherings at the river, finding special gifts for those she loved, playing card games (some of which she made up the rules), and volunteering. She is remembered for her special spark and honesty.
She is survived by her adoring husband, Thomas Lynn DeYoung, of Grandville, Michigan; daughters Lynn (Jay) Budd of Traverse City, Michigan, Julie (Cory) Whitaker of Culver, Indiana, and Katie (Brad) Arnold of Oak Park, Illinois; grandchildren Andrew Budd, Sarah Budd, Matthew Budd, Jaren Whitaker, Reagan Whitaker, Henry Arnold, and Alexis Arnold; sister, Karen Sageman; siblings-in-law Janice R. DeYoung, Gary (Becky) DeYoung, Betsy (Tom) Jenison, and Kathy Merrifield; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other special people.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mildred Merrifield; sister, Nadine (Jack) Voisin; brother, John “Pete” Merrifield; and parents-in-law, H. Tom and Ruth DeYoung.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2026, and again from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Cook Memorial Chapel following visitation.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider a memorial contribution to Grandville Senior Neighbors by going online at seniorneighbors.org. Any additional donations will be put towards an education fund for her grandchildren.
The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.
Isaiah Scott VanSlambrouck
July 9, 2024-October 5, 2026
Isaiah “Sunny” Scott VanSlambrouck, born in Holland, Michigan, on July 9, 2024, was tucked into the Everlasting Arms on Monday, October 5, 2026, and was showered with great storehouses of love by his dearest people in the days before his passing.
Though his time was brief, Isaiah’s presence was deeply beloved — marked by a gentle spirit, a joyous warmth, and a brightness that felt like sunshine to all who knew him.
Isaiah was, by all accounts, an extraordinary child who continually surpassed expectations. From as early as 16 months old, he was speaking, and by age 2 was hilariously articulate. Isaiah was uniquely observant and had a remarkable way of processing the world — taking in what was happening around him with unusual awareness, and meeting it with a questioning mind and sincere curiosity. His emotional intelligence was keen and it allowed him to connect with others in a way that made them feel seen.
Isaiah carried his father’s strength of heart and mind, as well as his mother’s eyes and way of looking at the world. He was also the perfect brother for TJ, and they truly connected in their time together, teaching each other so many important things. He acted as a bridge for the family, filling unique gaps in ways that only he could.
Isaiah had a generosity of spirit, preferring the assist over taking the shot, and so often following up with a word of encouragement. In countless small moments, he reminded those around him to slow down, to stay attentive to one another, and to recognize how much meaning can be found in everyday life. In this way, he gave his family a lifetime of memories in just two short years.
Isaiah required so little sleep, yet this became a gift — granting Scott and Grace more time with him, more conversations, more laughter, more ordinary moments made extraordinary, simply because they were together. Even without much sleep, he always seemed to have energy to spare, and he preferred to spend it alongside his favorite people. If Grace was in the kitchen, Isaiah was right beside her, utensils in hand. If Scott was watching Michigan sports, Isaiah would be right there too — learning the game and sharing in his father’s enthusiasm. He had a way of noticing what mattered most to people, and then joining them there, wholeheartedly.
Though so young, Isaiah remarkably understood the important things of life. Quick to pray, quick to express gratitude, quick to lift others up, quick to soak up special time together.
The most important thing he understood was about God.
Four weeks after his second birthday, his mom asked him, “Who is God?"
His answer?
"He’s holdin’ you. He’s helpin’ you.”
His family takes comfort in this depth of truth.
Life and light poured from Isaiah’s brilliant blue eyes, and so many who saw him and knew him recognized he was someone special. He has reminded us how special life can be, and made so many of us feel that we were someone special too.
Isaiah is survived by his parents, Grace VanSlambrouck and Scott VanSlambrouck; and his brother, Tau (TJ) VanSlambrouck.
He is also survived by his grandparents, Mary and John VanSlambrouck; and Karen and Ronald Boersema Jr.
His great-grandparents, Anna “Beppe” Laansma; and Donna and Ronald Boersema Sr.; and Elaine and Thomas VanZalen
As well as by all of his many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Moran Park Church, 97 W. 22nd St., Holland, Michigan 49423.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2026, at Moran Park Church, 97 W. 22nd St., Holland, Michigan 49423.
Cynthia Vincent
September 10, 1930-October 7, 2026
Cynthia Vincent (nee Stein) passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after suffering from the effects of a fall. She was 96.
Cynthia was born to Louis and Helen Stein in Detroit on September 10, 1930. After graduating from Wayne High School, she attended the University of Michigan, where she met Dwight Vincent in a Political Science class in their freshman year. They were married in December of 1952 and celebrated 63 years of marriage before Dwight’s death in 2016. They were a well-matched couple, and their children are hard-pressed to remember a harsh word between the two of them.
Cynthia and Dwight made their home and raised their children in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, where Cynthia was very active in the community. In 2012, they relocated to Holland, Michigan, to be near Patricia, their oldest daughter, where they each remained until their deaths.
Cynthia lived a remarkable life, teaching school in San Diego and suburban Detroit before the birth of her children. She was a gracious host, a superb seamstress, an excellent cook, a successful bridge player and, most importantly, a loving and supportive mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She leaves a legacy of hard work, a strong will, a delightful sense of humor and thousands of wonderful memories.
Cynthia is survived by her three children, George (Kim), Patricia (Mark) Roehling and Emily (Jim) Bokern; seven grandchildren, Douglas (Melissa) Vincent, Daniel Vincent, Laura (Ed) Stein, Alex (Randi) Roehling, Julia (Abe) Flannigan, Cynthia Goosby, Helen Goosby, 10 great-grandchildren; and her older sister, Mary.
A memorial service to honor the life of Cynthia will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026, in the auditorium at Freedom Village, 145 Columbia Ave., Holland.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Cynthia Vincent, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Thomas Henry Ziemba
September 17, 1949-October 8, 2026
Thomas Henry Ziemba passed on October 8, 2026, at the age of 77.
He was born September 17, 1949, in Muskegon, and lived in Holland, Michigan.
No services are being planned at this time.
