Mr. Arnold J. Vanderlaan's Obituary
Mr. Arnold J. “Arnie” Vanderlaan, 89, went to be with his Lord early Monday morning, January 8, 2018. He was born February 4, 1928 to Cornelius and Jennie (Witt) Vanderlaan in Muskegon, and was a lifelong resident. Arn worked at E.H. Sheldon and Hunter-Hughes, before joining BJW Berghorst and Sons in Zeeland, retiring in 1997. He was a lifetime member of Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church, where he served on council and was instrumental in starting the Musk-O-Tawa Cadet Club. Arn was very dedicated to Muskegon Christian School, Western Michigan Christian High School and the Muskegon Rescue Mission. On May 4, 1950 Arn married the love of his life, Pearl N. Vannette in Muskegon, and she survives him. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his entire family; his wife, Pearl; his children, Tom (Pat) VanderLaan, Sue (John) Sytsema, Mary (Terry) Dykstra, Bob (Susan) Vanderlaan; 13 grandchildren, Anne (Keith) VanGoor, Katie (Sam) Sportel, Jill (Tim) Harris, Kelli (Chad) Drenth, Scott (Rebecca) Sytsema, Todd (Nancy) Sytsema, Craig (Jen) Sytsema, Melissa (Chris) Warp, Jessica (James) Bolan, Evan (April) Vanderlaan, Laura (Aaron) Ridings, Courtney Vanderlaan, Elliott (LaRissa) Vanderlaan; 20 great-grandchildren, Zoe, Sydney, Owen, Emily, Bjorn, Jensen, Gabe, Brynn, Madelyn, Emma, Lyla, Drew, Ryan, Greta, Hunter, Jackson, Grace, Chloe, Peter, Lena, and 2 more on the way; 1 brother, Howard (Betty) Vanderlaan; 1 sister-in-law, Joyce Vanderlaan; 1 brother-in-law, Roger Derr. Arn was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Edwin Vanderlaan; and 1 sister, Maxine Derr. The funeral service will be held Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. Benjamin Oliveira officiating. Interment will be at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation at The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., (231) 759-8565, will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. Contributions in memory of Mr. Vanderlaan may be made to Muskegon Christian School, Western Michigan Christian High School, or the Muskegon Rescue Mission.
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