Robert C. VerMurlen's Obituary
Robert C. VerMurlen, age 96, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024, in Grand Haven, MI. He was born February 21, 1928, to Russell and Anne (Zee) VerMurlen, in Grand Haven, MI. Bob graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1945, where he was All-State Honorable Mention and All-Conference in football. Bob proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was a Marine through and through, with his last words being said to Hubert, his best buddy, “Semper Fi.” On January 25, 1968, he married Marion Olson in Hawaii, while on R & R during the Vietnam era. After serving his country, Bob worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier for 15 years, before he retired at the age of 55.
Bob was a proud member of the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28, where he served as a Past Commander, was a Life Member of the VFW Post 2326, 1st Marine Division, and Fleet Reserve and was a member of the Marine Corp Association. Bob and Marion were also members of Second Reformed Church in Grand Haven.
Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Marion; son, Robert (Michele) VerMurlen; daughter, Sharon (Thomas) Klinesmith; stepdaughter, Katherine Spencer; stepson, Thomas Kokonas; grandchildren, Jennifer Lewis, Melissa VerMurlen, Kristy (Josh) VerMurlen-James, Daniel (Candice Wolosek) Weidner; Joseph (Porsha) Weidner and Marial Coulter; 9 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Dorothy VerMurlen; and his best buddy and comrade, Hubert Ostertag. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Kelly Klinesmith; and brothers, Jack and Lee VerMurlen.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be 11 AM on Friday, April 12, 2024, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services (620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417). MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS in honor of Bob may be directed to Second Reformed Church. Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to be serving the VerMurlen family. To share special memories with the family, please visit http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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