Dr. Duane Kuik

Dr. Duane Gerald Kuik, aged 81 of Grand Rapids, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Duane was an educator and a leading advocate for Christian Education with a special focus on children with learning disabilities and other challenges.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Cora; his children, Laurel and Charles Sweeney, Lynne and Andrew Valeri, David and Wilma Kuik, Gwen and Douglas Ballast; grandchildren, Nicole and Meredith Sweeney,  Amanda Valeri, Jessica Kuik, Melissa  Kuik, Samantha Ballast and Jacob Ballast; great granddaughter, Amiyah Kuik; siblings, Shuart and Betty Kuik, Perle and Melvin Rosema; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Anne Braam (Harold deceased),  Susanne Vander Starre (Evert deceased), Adrian and Marge Vander Starre, Joan  and Roger Poll, Irma and Alvin Wychers; and several nieces and nephews.  Funeral services for Duane will be held Monday October 31, 2016 at 11:00 am at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 7171 Willard SE, Grand Rapids, with Pastor Curt Walters and Pastor Cal VanderMeyden officiating.  Interment Winchester Cemetery.  Members of the family will receive relatives and friends on  Sunday from 2 to 4pm at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo SE and Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be given to Christian Schools International at www.csionline.org.