William "Bill" J. Vandenberg

Mr. William "Bill" J. VandenBerg, age 61, passed away Friday evening, November 30, 2007 in Muskegon. He was born March 16, 1946 in Muskegon to Albert and Esther (Van Oeveren) VandenBerg and lived in the area his entire life. He graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School and attended Spartan School of Aeronautics. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army having fought in the Vietnam War earning 2 purple heart medals and 2 bronze stars. On September 18, 1971, he married the former Carole M. Schuyler in Kalamazoo and she survives him. Following the war, Bill began work as an aircraft mechanic for Executive Air Transport where he has been employed for close to 40 years. He was a member of Holton United Methodist Church and had previously been a member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church for many years. Bill loved all of his family but was especially fond of his dear grandchildren. SURVIVORS include his wife, Carole; 3 daughters, Jennifer (David) Carson of Morgantown, WV, Amy (Troy) Follett of Twin Lake, Laura (Scott) Eckelkamp of Rochester, MN; 3 grandchildren, Alena Follett, Serena and Zander Carson; 2 brothers, Ron (Deb) VandenBerg of San Diego, CA, Dave (Julie) VandenBerg of Chula Vista, CA; and several extended family and friends who loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at Holton United Methodist Church (9530 Holton Duck Lake Rd.) with Rev. Jerry Selleck and Rev. Nancy Bessimer co-officiating. INTERMENT will take place at Holton Cemetery. VISITATION with Bill's family will be 2-4 and 6-8 PM Tuesday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Avenue (231) 726-5210 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to Holton United Methodist Church.