Henry Slings

Henry Edward Slings, age 84, of Spring Lake passed from this life to Life Eternal with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday evening, July 25, 2007. Henry was born July 3, 1923, in Grand Rapids to Adrian and Jacoba (Joldersma) Slings. Following graduation from Newton High School in Iowa, he started his education at Calvin College. During college, World War II interrupted his education and he joined the Navy to serve his country. Following the war, he married Miriam Hammerly on August 16, 1946, in Newton, Iowa, and returned to complete his college education, graduating in 1949. Henry enjoyed his work as salesman and terminal manager with Bishop Motor Express, later with Bender-Loudon, and he retired from TML. He was actively involved at Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church as a former elder and deacon, choir director, and catechism teacher, and he started his church's ministry to area care facilities on Sunday afternoons. Henry was also a member of Gideon's International, the Grand Rapids and Lakeshore chapters of Civil War Roundtables, an avid Abraham Lincoln historian and buff, former Grand Haven Christian School Board member, and a member of the Charles A. Conklin Post #28 of the American Legion. He also enjoyed attending and taking his turn teaching at the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning. Henry is survived by his wife, Miriam; a daughter, Muriel Modak of Spring Lake; a son, J. Randy (Cathy) Slings of South Milwaukee, WI; 5 grandchildren: Julie (Nate) Slings, Chad (Mindy) Slings, John Modak, Nick Modak, and Alex Modak Jr.; a great-granddaughter, Ashley Slings; his sister, Fran VanZee of Grand Haven; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Henry will be held Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church with Rev. James Vander Meiden officiating. Friends may meet the family Monday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Spring Lake. Military Honors at church will be provided by the American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post #28 Honor Guard. Interment will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. Memorials to Gideon's International or to the Spring Lake Christian Reformed Church memorial fund are appreciated.