Robert Vander West's Obituary
Robert Vander West, age 76, passed away unexpectedly Monday morning, August 22, 2016. He was born April 12, 1940 in Muskegon to Gerrit and Cornelia (Zuidema) Vander West. Bob had worked many years down at the Mart Dock before becoming employed at Sappi Fine Paper Company, where he spent 21 years before retiring. On March 3, 1962 he married Mary L. Barnes in Muskegon. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Bob was a model train enthusiast, enjoyed trips to the casino and the Upper Peninsula, and loved anything car racing, especially NASCAR. SURVIVORS include his wife, Mary; 3 children: Robert Gerrit Vander West, Leigh Ann (Ron) Archer, David Vander West all of Muskegon; 5 grandchildren: Ronald Archer, Rebecca (Scott) Morse, Christopher (Nikki) Vander West, David (Sarah) Vander West, Jr., Kaitlin Vander West; 2 great-grandchildren: Noah and Olivia Morse; brother, Sam (Paulette) Vander West of Muskegon; 2 sisters: Irma Vander West of Muskegon, Mary Lou Sandberg of Whitehall; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers: Melvin and Richard Vander West; and sister, Wilma Brusky. A CELEBRATION OF BOB’S LIFE will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul C. Appold officiating. VISITATION with the family will be from 6-8 PM Wednesday at The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd., (231) 759-8565. MEMORIALS to the Johnson Family Cancer Center or the Alzheimer’s Association will be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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