Edwin N. Vanderlaan's Obituary
Edwin N. “Ed” Vanderlaan, age 73, went to be with his Lord in Heaven on Monday, August 30, 2004 after an heroic battle of 13 years with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. He was born on January 10, 1931 to Cornelius and Jennie (Witt) Vanderlaan, and married the former Joyce Kroeze on August 10, 1951. Ed proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was employed by Sargent Specialty and Machine Company as a foreman until his retirement in 1992. He was an active life-long member of Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church and served on the council for many years. He was a hard-working man who loved his family dearly and was a wonderful, godly husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Ed had the privilege to lay a wreath at a private ceremony hosted by the Association of Government Marketing Assistance Specialists during the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery in September of 2002. He was also a volunteer at Hackley Hospital for several years. Ed is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joyce; 4 daughters, Sandra (Scott) Jensen of Delafield, WI, Debra (George, now in Heaven) Berg of Kalispell, MT, Pamela Vanderlaan of Norton Shores, Lori (Brent) Weesies of Caledonia; 10 grandchildren, Betsy (Nathan) Labatt, Emily Jensen, Andrew Jensen, Jamie (Kevin) Cady, Sarah Langlois, Matthew (Anissa) Koekkoek, Nathan Koekkoek, Jennifer Weesies, Jessica Weesies, Chad Weesies; 5 great-grandchildren, Jenna, Lauren, Megan, and Olivia Cady, Hunter Douglas Koekkoek; 2 brothers, Arnold (Pearl) Vanderlaan of Muskegon, Howard (Betty) Vanderlaan of Scottville; 1 brother-in-law, Roger Derr of Holland; 2 sisters-in-law, Beverly Walhout and Shirley VanHees; many nieces and nephews. Ed’s sister, Maxine Derr, his parents and in-laws, and his son-in-law George preceded him in death and are with him in Heaven. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Thursday at the Allen Ave. Christian Reformed Church, 695 Allen Ave.,with Reverend Robert Bierenga officiating. Burial will take place at Laketon Twp. Cemetery. VISITATION at Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, (231-726-5210)will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Wednesday.
What’s your fondest memory of Edwin N.?
What’s a lesson you learned from Edwin N.?
Share a story where Edwin N.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Edwin N. you’ll never forget.
How did Edwin N. make you smile?