Adrian Vandonkelaar

Adrian VanDonkelaar was a wonderful man, who lived a long and wonderful life, a life so full of family, faith and fond memories. Adrian was a hardworking, loyal and loving man, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He gave all the love he had to his family, a love that lives on in them today. Adrians story began on a rainy spring day in 1915, across the Atlantic Ocean in The Netherlands. Those were turbulent times in Europe, as the outbreak of World War I would change the landscape of history forever. On March 31, 1915, Cornelius and Adrianna (Plugers) VanDonkelaar found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Adrian. Adrian was the couples first child, and was soon joined by his little sister Adrianna. The family suffered a terrible blow when Adrian was just five years old, however, when his mother and his sister, Adrianna both sadly died of dysentery. Adrians father would eventually remarry to a woman named Gertrude, who raised Adrian in a loving home with his half-sister, Wilhelmina. After the war, times were very tough in Europe, and when Adrian was 10 years old, the family boarded a ship and set sail for America, enduring a 10-day trip to a new country in search of a better life. When young Adrian saw Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty for the first time, it was the most beautiful sight hed ever seen. The family settled in Muskegon, Michigan, where Adrians father went to work for the Norge Plant. It wasnt an easy transition to America for young Adrian, however. The language barrier was a large hurdle for him, and they spoke only Dutch in their home. Because of this barrier and the troubling times of the Great Depression, Adrian left school after the ninth grade. He began working, first at the Norge Plant with his dad, and eventually becoming a tile setter with Rossi of Holland. Adrian set tile in many Muskegon-area homes and schools, as well as the Aqua Marina and Milwaukee Clipper, before they became cruise ships. When Adrian was 23, a friend introduced him to a beautiful young girl named Beatrice Thompson, and the sparks flew between them. She was just 15 at the time, but she knew right away that he was the one for her. Im going to marry that man, Beatrice said after meeting him the first time. She was right. The two dated for two years, before getting married on April 20, 1940 in Muskegon, beginning a beautiful life together. They shared so much in common, and they were both very social and loved doing things together, especially fishing on Mona Lake. Before they knew it, the couple became parents, as well. They celebrated the births of four beautiful children over the years, Adrian, Sandra, Roger, and Richard Lee, who sadly died as an infant. Adrian and Beatrice were great parents, and their children were truly their pride and joy. They were never disappointed in anything their kids ever did or didnt do in life, and taught them to live with the same faith in the Lord they possessed. Adrian was a very loyal Christian, whose faith was his moral compass he lived his life by. He and Beatrice were very active in the Church of the Nazarene in Grand Haven, both teaching Sunday School classes (Adrian teaching for 45 years), as well doing whatever else they could around the church. Adrian often volunteered to fix things that needed fixing at the church, while his wife helped out in the kitchen. Adrian was a very hardworking man, first at Rossi, then at Johnson Carpet in Grand Rapids, before eventually becoming a self-employed . Adrian had to stay moving, always keeping busy, and had to retire three different times before it stuck! He wasnt all work and no play, though. Adrian had many things he enjoyed, especially playing golf with his many friends. He also loved to read, and was a very intelligent, self-taught man. After their kids had grown and gotten out on their own, Adrian and Beatrice began vacationing to a little cottage in Christmas, Michigan, near Pictured Rocks, where they loved to go sightseeing and fishing. In 1980, the couple semi-retired to Nashville, Tennessee, to manage the Warren House Apartment Complex. They loved it there, and enjoyed the South. After 4 1/2 years there, they moved back to Muskegon, as Beatrices health began to decline. Back home again, they enjoyed some traveling, and enjoyed all kinds of crafting, too. Adrian even enjoyed shopping with Beatrice, as long as they were together. They loved each other deeply, and even renewed their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary, April 20, 1990. Sadly, Adrians beloved wife died in 2005, after 65 years together. Adrian persevered through his faith and his family, and especially loved seeing his grandchildren. When his daughter Sandra showed him his very first grandchild, Lisa, it was one of the greatest days of his life, in a life so full of great days. Adrian died on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the age of 92. Adrian was a wonderful man, who lived a long and wonderful life, a life devoted to his faith and his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a good man with a good life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. He will be greatly missed. Adrian is survived by his 2 sons, Adrian R. (Denise) VanDonkelaar of Littleton, CO & Rev. Roger (Gladys) VanDonkelaar of Burton, MI; 1 daughter, Sandra K. (John) Merritt of Spring Lake; 10 grandchildren, Michael (Dawn), Michelle Reid, Mindy (Travis), Melissa, Angie (Derrick) Lisa (Mike), Ron Paquin, Jessica (Rob), Andrea Jones & Rodney (April); 14 great grandchildren, Andrew, Sara, Logan, Travis, Jacob, Jade, Tia, Nikki, Dax, Raven, Alexander, Caleb, Tiffany and namesake of great grandparents, Adrianna Beatrice; 3 great great grandchildren, Cole, Codi & Madison; several nieces & nephews; special people, Jerry Paquin & Patricia Sailer. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Beatrice in 2005, his son, Richard Lee in 1955 & 2 sisters, Wilhelmina & Adrianna. Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2008, 2:30 PM at Church of The Nazarene - Grand Haven with Pastor Gary Reiss officiating. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, Grand Haven & 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Harbor Hospice. 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