Ronald J. Nyenhuis' Obituary
Ronald Jay Nyenhuis was born March 9, 1941, in Holland, Michigan, along with his twin brother Donald, to Nicholas and Jessie (DeWaard) Nyenhuis. Ron grew up in Coopersville, Michigan. He attended Allendale Christian School and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1959. After a year of college, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He then received his BA degree from Calvin College in 1965 and his MA degree from the University of Illinois in 1969. Ron was an ardent, enthusiastic educator. He began his career at Henry School in Grand Rapids, also teaching for Head Start and Project Follow Through. He was the Principal at Franklin Elementary School and Shawnee Park Elementary in Grand Rapids. He then moved to Mona Shores as the Principal of Churchill Elementary School and Campbell Elementary School. He was an adjunct Professor for the Graduate School of Education at Grand Valley State University and finished his career as an Associate Pastor at Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon. Ron served as a board member for the Grand Rapids Hispanic Scholarship Fund; Love, INC of Muskegon County; and Muskegon County Cooperating Churches. He volunteered for Friendship Ministry; World Renew; Feeding America; Love, INC; Family Promise; MAP Supper House; Project Serve; VBS; Muskegon Classis Interim Committee; and as a Sunday School teacher and an elder at Hope Reformed Church in Grand Rapids and at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Muskegon. Ron is survived by his wife Bonnie, five children, and six grandchildren: Pamela (Cal) Van Dyke, Cody and Cassie; David (Julie) Nyenhuis, Samantha and Travis; Jeffrey (Brenda) Nyenhuis, Sydney and Ethan; Jeremy (Elizabeth) Nyenhuis, Jessica Nyenhuis McClure and was a loving grandfather to two foster children. He is also survived by sister Helaine (Ken)Vander Horn, sister-in-law Mary Nyenhuis, brother-in-law Walter De Boer (Jesslyn), bother-in-law Peter De Boer (Nancy), sister-in-law Susan Steketee (Bill), and parents-in-law Peter and Joy De Boer. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donald. And in all things, give thanks! SERVICES for Ron will be held 11:00 AM Friday, July 3, 2015 at Calvin Christian Reformed Church with Rev. John Rop officiating. VISITATION with the family will be from 6-8 PM Thursday at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100. MEMORIAL GIFTS to: Love, INC of Muskegon County and Family Promise of the Lakeshore will be appreciated. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com
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