Alvin E. Vander Klay

Alvin Vander Klay passed away on April 3, 2022, at 88 years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Gertrude Vander Klay; his sister, Carol Zuidema; granddaughter, Amber Vander Klay and most recently his wife, Velma Vander Klay in 2019. He is survived by his children, Beth (Jeff) Bourdo, Randy (Donna) Vander Klay, and Lisa (Dave) Knobloch as well as his stepchildren, Lori Ross, Dan (Lori) Covey, and Lisa (Tim) Delano. He will also be lovingly remembered by his 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren; sister, Marilyn Gould; brother, Dale (Jackie) Vander Klay; sister-in-law, Maxine DeJonge; and many nieces and nephews. The second of four children, Al grew up in a working-class area of Grand Rapids, where he excelled as an athlete at Central HS and JC. He joined the Army and was stationed in Germany. He worked as a carpenter upon moving back to Grand Rapids. He remodeled their first home before building two homes on Gun Lake while finishing his education at WMU. He first taught at (what is now) Michigan Career and Technical Institute at Pine Lake, taught Grand Rapids inner city youth and moved on to Kent Career Technical Center. He and his students built many beautiful homes. Alvin was a master craftsman. He was generous with his time and talents, helping many friends and family members with their projects. He treasured his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved football, gospel and country music, dogs, and creating works of art in his workshop. Outdoors he was into motorcycling, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, water skiing, boating, and sailing. After Velma passed, Al’s health rapidly declined, and his oft-stated wish was to join his Lord and Savior in heaven. Funeral services will be held 11 am Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday, April 12 from 6-8 pm at the funeral home. Those who wish, may make memorial contributions to the ministry of God’s Helping Hands, P.O. Box 385, Gobles, MI 49055, or to NICS Network of International Christian Schools – Donate – Project #003678, in which his grandchildren serve.