Nelva Marie VanAndel's Obituary
Nelva Marie “Mickey” Bishop VanAndel, age 93, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, January 24, 2025. She joined the ultimate family reunion of her family members that predeceased her: her parents; grandsons, Peter VanTimmeren and Jacob Spoelma; great-grandson, Joshua Craig Hall; and siblings and siblings-in-law, Doris (Harm) King, Ann (Don) Miner, Harriet (Ray) Israels, Delora (Marv) Mulder, John (Elsie) Bishop, Henry (Kay) Bishop, Fred “Pete” (Delores) Bishop, and Robert Bishop; on her husband’s side, Peter (Bid) VanAndel, Labertha (Hank) Bruininks, Rica (Neil) Houseman, Mina (John) Wingelaar, Dorothy (Fred) DeYoung, Ben VanAndel, John (Ott) VanAndel, Renn (Phyllis) VanAndel, and Lambert VanAndel. Mickey was the youngest child of Fred and Winifred (Drewes) Bishop, born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 14, 1931. Nelva earned the nickname “Mickey” from her beloved brother, Pete, when he noted she reminded him of a famous mouse named “Mickey” who was born at roughly the same time she was. On December 8, 1950, Mickey married Henry F. VanAndel and merged two large Dutch families, as they began a family of their own. They enjoyed nearly 52 years of marriage prior to his passing into heavenly glory in November of 2002. Mickey was a member of Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Together with Henry, Mickey enjoyed motorcycle trips, travelling in retirement, spending winters at their winter home in Boynton Beach, Florida, and game nights with family and friends. She also enjoyed puzzles, word searches, antiquing, the Price is Right, and was an avid reader. Mickey is survived by her children, Susan (Roy) Wierenga, Beverly (Blaine) Shafer, Noreen Smith, Wilma (Amir) Al-Khafaji, Steven (Marie) VanAndel, and Janet (Tom) VanTimmeren; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister-in-law, Lois Bishop. A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Mickey will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church (364 S. Lake Ave., Spring Lake, MI 49456). VISITATION will be one hour prior to her service. Burial will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. You may sign her online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456.
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