Obituaries: Sept. 25, 2026
Our sympathies are with these local families.
Kathy Lee Becker
August 16, 1950-September 22, 2026
Kathy Lee Becker passed away on September 22, 2026, at the age of 76, and was a resident of Holland, Michigan.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Jozef Jan Christian
March 2, 1947-September 8, 2026
Jozef Jan Christian, age 79, of Spring Lake, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at home, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Germany on March 2, 1947, to the late Michael and Gladys (Plowice) Chirowski. Jozef married Judith Varekos on November 22, 1976, in Toronto, Canada.
As an infant, Jozef and his family moved to Scotland. When he was 12, the family moved to Canada, where he attended, and later graduated from, St. Michael's Choir School. Jozef attended St. Michael's Church in Muskegon, where he very much enjoyed singing in the choir.
In 1965, Jozef's musical talents led him to form the popular Canadian music group, "Mandala," and later, another Canadian music group, "Crowbar." In 1975, he joined the "Welcome to My Nightmare" tour with Alice Cooper as a keyboard player. Jozef went on to record with numerous musicians, including Peter Gabriel. He then spent a 25-year career working as a self-employed truck driver until his retirement.
Jozef will be forever remembered and deeply missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Judy; his three children, Alana VanderLaan, John (Elizabeth) VanderLaan, Jennifer VanderLaan, and Zachary (Kelly) Christian; and four well-loved grandchildren, Ariella and Aric VanderLaan, Izabel and Zoe Christian.
Private family services will be held.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jozef Jan Christian, please visit our floral store.
LaVern Jay Sale
June 15, 1932-September 21, 2026
LaVern Jay Sale, 94, of Hamilton, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Vern was born June 15, 1932, in Hamilton, Michigan, to George and Gertrude (Ende) Sale. After the sudden passing of his father while Vern was just 16 years old, he went to work at the Chevrolet Dealership in Hamilton. He started sweeping floors and over the years became a skilled mechanic. He worked at the HFB-Chevy Dealership until his retirement.
He met Diane VanTubbergen in their hometown of Hamilton and they later married. Family and faith were vitally important to Vern and Diane; both they and their children were active members of Hamilton Reformed Church. Vern was a lifelong member of Hamilton Reformed Church, baptized there in 1932. Vern also volunteered for Love INC for many years, and when the children were young, Vern served as a Cub Scout leader.
Vern served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. When he returned home to Hamilton in 1955, he again picked up his work at Hamilton Chevrolet. Service to his community was also important to Vern, as he served on the Hamilton Fire Department for several years.
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Helen Drnek, Justin Sale, and Lester Sale, and two great-granddaughters: Faith Reuschel and Esther Reuschel.
Vern is survived by his wife Diane; their children, Candy and Mark Kleinheksel, Laurie and Jeff Reuschel, Dan and Kim Sale; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Megan and Todd Riksen (Romy, Margot), Jillian and Kevin Alfaro (Ryder), Cameron and Jamie Kleinheksel (Carter, Blake, Morgan), Christopher and Julie Reuschel (Elliott, Sophie, Grayson), Dakota and Taylor Sale (Holden, Leighton), Skylar and Alyssa Sale, Kambrea and Mason Horsting (Miles); sister, RuthAnn Lubbers; in-laws, Fred and Kathy VanTubbergen, and many extended family members.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Hamilton Reformed Church, 3554 Lincoln Road (M-40), Hamilton MI 49419. Visitation will be 10-10:45 a.m. Thursday, October 1, prior to the funeral service at church. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland, MI 49423.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of LaVern Jay Sale, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Rev. Steven J. Vander Molen
June 5, 1951-September 24, 2026
Rev. Steven J. Vander Molen died in this life on Thursday, Sept. 24, in Holland, Michigan.
Born on June 5, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to John and Jeanette (Koning) Vander Molen, Steve was a much-loved youngest child, grandchild, and cousin in the Vander Molen and Koning clans.
Full of joy and a fair bit of mischief, Steve was active in his local church, Third Reformed (now Centerpointe in Kalamazoo), and in music activities at Kalamazoo Christian. After graduating in 1969, he attended Western Michigan University, planning to become an accountant. But God had other plans and prompted Steve to shift his focus to full-time ministry. When he graduated from WMU in 1973, he enrolled in Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.
While in seminary, Steve met Corinne Havinga through mutual friends at a youth gathering. They married in Holland, Michigan, on July 19, 1975. Steve and Corinne served as dorm parents at Gilmore Hall at Hope College during Steve's final year in seminary, where he experienced living with a whole hall of women (excellent prep for the next stage in his life) and graduated from seminary in May 1977.
Pastor Vander Molen had a rich life of pastoral ministry, serving churches in Michigan and Iowa:
• New Era Reformed Church, New Era, MI, 1977-1982
• Hager Park Church, Jenison, MI, 1982-1989
• First Reformed Church, Orange City, IA, 1989-2005
• Christ Memorial Reformed Church, Holland, MI, 2005-2012
• Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI, 2012-2017
• Niekerk Christian Reformed Church, Holland, MI, 2018-2019
He loved being a shepherd and a pastor, walking alongside people in their everyday life, their trials and joys as well as the momentous and mundane moments. Steve faithfully preached the Word of God for over 40 years and loved the people and the God whom he served.
Steve put his administrative gifts, pastoral leadership, and shepherd's heart to use, serving as stated clerk for his local classis and as General Synod president for the RCA. He served on various boards around the country, notably on Northwestern College's executive committee for over 25 years.
By far his favorite role was husband, dad, brother, uncle, and grandpa. He and Corinne enjoyed over 50 years of marriage as true partners, continuing a godly legacy of love, faithfulness, integrity, service, new experiences, and fun. Together they had Jennifer, Michelle, Rebecca, and Matthew, and welcomed all their spouses as family (Tom, Beau, and Christine). He especially relished his role as grandpa to Noah, Emma, Elijah, Nathan, Samantha, June, Flora, Evangeline, and Josephine. He is remembered with love by all of us.
Additionally, Uncle Steve could always be relied on for a funny story, to showcase his gift of mimicry, and to give love and a listening ear to all his nieces and nephews. He is deeply missed by his brother Harold, his sister-in-law Joan, and all his in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Steve had a heart for music and was blessed with a beautiful voice that he faithfully used to praise God and show beauty and reverence on this earth. He loved singing in symphonic and church choirs, was a sought-after soloist for most of his life, and sang at countless church events. Memorably, he sang songs to each of the babies he baptized over the course of his ministry, reminding them of their place in the kingdom of God and their baptismal covenant.
As Steve retired from serving in ministry, his brain function deteriorated rapidly. Even as the disease progressed, his heart and love for people shone through as he smiled and encouraged the staff at his assisted living facility, exhibited kindness, and would occasionally pipe up with an impromptu church service. Through it all, he was most coherent when telling his wife, children, and grandchildren how much he loved them - an immeasurable blessing.
While he now rests, fully restored, in the arms of his Lord and Savior, we await the joy of seeing him again in heaven. Steve will likely be one of the first people to welcome you in, give you a big hug, show you the lay of the land, and point to the joy we will be experiencing in the Lord.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. The funeral service to honor the life of Steve will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Western Theological Seminary.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rev. Steven J. Vander Molen, please visit our Sympathy Store.
