Mrs. Ann E. VanderPloeg's Obituary
Mrs. Ann E. VanderPloeg, age 81, of Muskegon passed away December 4, 2014. She was born July 20, 1933 in Wilmington, Delaware to Rev. John and Winifred (Armour) Clelland. A graduate of Calvin College class of 1955, she married Allan E. VanderPloeg on September 23, 1955. They moved to Whitehall and lived there for the majority of their lives. Ann worked as an elementary school teacher in the Whitehall public school system, and was active in education throughout her life, particularly in serving on the School Boards of Muskegon Christian School and Western Michigan Christian High School (one of the first women to have served on both Boards), and raising money for the schools through her innovative “Cash for Trash” program. Ann was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon where she sang in the choir and taught Vacation Bible School. She enjoyed parti9cipating in the various activities of her community group Diversity and Bible Study groups. She enjoyed reading, and was especially adept at word puzzles, over the years becoming a cruciverbalist. HER FAMILY includes her sons, Paul and Scott; her granddaughter, Katherine; her brothers John (June) and Donald (Wilma); her sister Jean; brother-in-law Max (Nancy); and sisters-in-law Elaine and LaVon (John). Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Allan, and daughter, Susan. VISITATION will be Sunday, December 14, 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M., at the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444; 231-798-1100. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS to Muskegon Christian School or Western Michigan Christian High School would be appreciated.
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