Robert and Alice Vander Tuin

Robert Earl Vander Tuin (age 82) and Alice Henrietta Vander Tuin (age 82) passed within hours of each other on Friday, August 16, 2024.

They are survived by their son, Daniel Todd (Marceille) Vander Tuin; daughter, Gwenellyn Hanna; grandsons, Zachariah and Abraham Vander Tuin; granddaughters, Taya (Jesse) Yeager and Jori Hanna; and one great-grandson, Joshua James Yeager. 

Robert Earl Vander Tuin was born December 25, 1941, to Clarence and Bertha Vander Tuin. He had one sister, Arlene DeVries. Bob grew up in Wyoming, Michigan, and he told stories of hitchhiking to Unity Christian and a cute girl putting tacks on his chair to get his attention. (He married her.) Bob spent decades singing in quartets (Key Tones, The Staffmen), church choirs and the Holland Chorale, and with his own CD tracks in the basement or assisted living locations. He always loved a good hymn sing and gospel music. As an elder, youth leader, usher, or Bible Study Fellowship leader and participant, he served his Lord. He loved his grandchildren, and time spent playing games, fishing (from his boat on Lake Michigan—where he had become a regular for the Coast Guard to tow in, or the backyard paddle boat), or cheering them on in their sports or activities. Bob faithfully worked at Oliver Products as a commercial photographer from days after his high school graduation in 1961 until his retirement 50 years later.

Alice Henrietta (Palmbos) Vander Tuin was born on March 6,1942. She was the second of four children of Harold and Jennie Palmbos. Alice spent her whole life in the Hudsonville/Jenison, Michigan area. She graduated from Unity Christian High School, served in various Christian Reformed churches (with fond memories of leading youth groups and many conventions, a Parents Night Out program, and various other service ministries), and was a Bible Study Fellowship leader, and a passionate volunteer for Bethany Christian Services (doing all she could to save babies’ lives) for many years. She was employed in medical offices, Kent Community Hospital, and Baker Book House over the years. She treasured her grandchildren, times playing games, lake adventures, or just watching them do what they loved, as well as tending to her flowers and spending months combing the shores of Florida gathering shells and a tan. In their first years at Sunset, they played games with friends, attended programs, and according to them, never won a game of BINGO. 

Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Sunday, August 18, from 5-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. A graveside service will be held at Forest Grove Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 21, at 10 a.m. at Sunrise Ministries, 7754 28th Ave., Jenison, MI 49428. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Under His Wings.