Cornelius Vos

Cornelius Cornie Vos was a man dedicated to his family and his faith. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family. Kind and friendly, Cornie had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to many throughout his life. Cornies story began on a warm spring day in 1904, as the waters turned warmer on the shores of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were very different days in this country, as America was a nation undergoing great change, from its farms and fields, to its crowded city streets. There were just 45 states in the Union at the time, and just 8,000 automobiles, in the days before Henry Ford unveiled his Model-T for the masses. Amid these changing times, Harry and Nellie (Borgerding) Vos experienced a big change of their own, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Cornelius. Cornie was one of nine children in the large familys Muskegon home, where his father earned a living working in a foundry, while his mother, who was born on the ship that brought her family from the Netherlands to the U.S., had her hands full raising nine children. The family lived in downtown Muskegon for a while, but later moved to 654 Apple Avenue. Devout Christians, the family was faithful members of First Christian Reformed Church. Like many young men of the time, Cornie only attended school through the 8th grade, then left to work full-time at the Campbell, Wyant and Cannon Foundry (CWC) to help support his family. In his free time, he also did some recreational boxing on the side. Devoted to his family, Cornie promised himself that he would pay off his parents mortgage before ever marrying. And he did just in time! Cornie soon met his sister, Evadenas friend, Sarah Burgess, who worked at Price Cleaners. It wasnt long before they started dating, fell hopelessly in love and were happily married on June 10, 1933. The newlyweds settled into married life together in a home at 1176 Apple Avenue, in the neighborhood close to his parents. Cornie and Sarah soon filled their home with the joy and laughter of three precious children: Harry born in 1934, Paul in 1938, and Luann in 1941. By the time World War II, Cornie was too old to serve in the infantry, but he still found a way to serve his country. He was an Air Raid Warden at home, keeping everyone safe in Muskegon. During this time, he also left CWC to work in the Lakey foundry for a while, but later went back to CWC, where he remained a loyal and hardworking employee for 45 years. He retired in 1966 as a Core Supervisor. Meanwhile, Sarah was a devoted stay-at-home mom until the kids were older, and then she worked part-time at Tenhoves Dry Goods Store. Family was always Cornies first priority. A very caring and attentive father, he fully supported and encouraged his children to get a good education and participate in various activities and sports, an opportunity he never had growing up. Big or small, Cornie took great pride in all their accomplishments in life. In later years, when he was blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren, Cornie poured the same amount of love and attention into these relationships as he did with his own children. He loved to babysit for them when asked, which usually included a ride into town for some ice cream. Cornie and Sarah raised their children in the Christian faith, and were longtime, active members of the Berean Church. Over the years, Cornie served in several different capacities in the church, including as a Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and as a past Chairman on the Consistory. Cornie and Sarah were very social and enjoyed time together with their friends from church, most often doing some kind of church activity. When their kids were growing up, Cornie and Sarah loved taking the family on vacation to places like Niagara Falls, Chicago and Upper Peninsula. After they had an empty nest at home, the couple took to traveling more extensively, including many trips to Florida and Texas to visit relatives. Their favorite excursions, however, were their day trips to various interesting places for lunch or dinner. Cornie was always actively doing something in his leisure time. He bowled on the churchs league, went bird hunting and fly fishing (he liked to tie his own flies), and raised rabbits he showed in competition for a time. After retiring from CWC, he took up golfing too. Then, in the early 1990s, Cornie had a stroke, which caused him to slow down some. Because he couldnt keep up with the yard anymore, the couple moved to Shawl Senior Housing in Whitehall, and it took them no time at all to settle in and make many new friends. Sadly, Cornie lost his beloved wife Sarah on December 18, 2002, after 69 years of marriage. Despite his terrible loss, Cornie stayed active and remained very socialable. He amazingly drove until he was 102 years old, and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds at his feeder. About six months ago, Cornie got pneumonia and never really recovered. With his beloved family by his side, Cornie died on Friday, September 12, 2008, at the age of 104. Cornelius Vos was a modest man, yet proud of his family. He was gentle, caring and loved life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Cornelius is survived by his sons, Harry (Mimi) Voss of North Muskegon and Dr. Paul (Marilyn) Voss of Montague; 1 daughter, Luann Vos of Whitehall; 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah, a grandson, 4 sisters: Ann, Evadena, Verbina and Celia; and 4 brothers: Herman, Bill, Lester and Charlie. Services for Cornelius will be held on Thursday, September 18, at 11:00 a.m. at the Berean Church with Rev. Craig Apel & Rev. Dwight Reed officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with Cornelius family on Wednesday, September 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at the Berean Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Berean Church Memorial Fund or Hackley VNS Hospice. Please visit Cornelius personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign his online guest book.