Rien "Dutch" VanWalsum's Obituary
Mr. Rien VanWalsum, age 82, went to be with his Lord Tuesday morning, June 29, 2010 in Muskegon. He was born August 15, 1927 in Edam, the Netherlands to Reinier and Cornelia (Vaandering) VanWalsum, and resided in the Muskegon area since 1949. Mr. VanWalsum worked at Noreen Pattern and Monarch Pattern for 28 years, and retired from Alloy Tech in 1992. He had served on the Village of Fruitport Council, and also as an Elder at the Fruitport Christian Reformed Church. He was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church where he served with the Friendship Circle and as a Cadet Counselor. He enjoyed woodworking, camping, traveling, and helping with his wife’s ceramic business. For the past three years he lived at Park Terrace where he enjoyed time with his friends. Mr. VanWalsum married Francina “Franny” M. Groeneveld on March 9, 1951 in Muskegon, and she preceded him in death on February 18, 2010. He was also preceded in death by 1 son, Reiner “Rick” C. VanWalsum. SURVIVORS include 3 children, John Martin VanWalsum of Muskegon, Robert (Sarah) VanWalsum of Webster, NY, Margaret Ann (Gregory) Start of Muskegon; (Rick, Dec’d) Barb VanWalsum of Grand Rapids; 8 grandchildren, Scott (Crystal) VanWalsum, Michael (Kelly) VanWalsum, Chad (Ruth) VanWalsum, Caleb and Rebekah VanWalsum, Kyle, James, and Erika Start; 6 great-grandchildren, Ian, Nicholas, Elliott, Gabriella, Brenden and Madelyn VanWalsum; 1 sister, Mary Verhagen of Muskegon. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Friday at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, with Pastor John Rop officiating. Burial will take place at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION at The Sytsema Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210 will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Thursday. You may sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.sytsemafh.com Contributions in memory of Mr. VanWalsum may be made to Western Michigan Christian High School, or the Patient Activities Fund of Sanctuary at McAuley. The VanWalsum family would like to thank Sanctuary at McAuley and VNS Hospice for their special care and kindness.
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