Eugene “Gene” Berends

Eugene Howard Berends, of Grandville, Michigan, is present with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after passing from this life on February 26, 2020. Born to Henry Owen and Lillian (Faber) Berends on October 7, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, Eugene (“Gene”) moved to Grand Rapids at a young age. After graduation from Lee High School, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy for the final two years of World War II. It was around those years that he made firm his commitment to trust and follow Jesus Christ. He graduated from Calvin College in 1950, began teaching locally, and then pursued an M.A. from the University of Michigan and later a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. On June 20, 1959, he married Eileen Rattasep, and for more than 58 years they served their Lord together in raising five children, opening their home to others, and in various roles at their church and elsewhere.  Gene was an encourager, consummate storyteller, peacemaker, source of wise counsel, originator of fun family games, and at heart, a servant of others who treated everyone he met with kindness and dignity. He served as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Wyoming Public Schools for 34 years, as well as board chair of Cornerstone University. Following his retirement from the Wyoming school district, he worked for over a decade in various international Christian schools as an interim administrator. He is survived by his children, Andrea Berends, Nancy Berends, Kurt (Anita) Berends, Lisa (Brad) Frieden, and Keith (Brenda) Berends; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 2, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Pointe, 3350 Baldwin St., Hudsonville. Interment will be at Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday, March 1, from 3-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to ABWE (Account 013247), 522 Lewisberry Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070.