Garald Gemmen

Garald Laurn Gemmen Sr., age 79, of Allendale, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 22, 2019.  Gary was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a public accountant and later office manager at Allendale Telephone Company. Gary graduated from Allendale Christian School, Unity Christian High School, and Davenport University; he also attended Calvin College. He served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder at Allendale First Christian Reformed Church; he and his wife Patricia served as youth leaders for seven years. Gary was a past president of the Bentheimers International Society, Allendale Community Foundation, North East Ottawa Council on Aging, and Allendale Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Unity PACE Drive; he pitched baseball in high school and played fast- and slow-pitch softball in Allendale until he was in his 50s. He loved Christian education, hunting, golden retrievers, Willys Jeeps, Gemmen’s Grove, veterans, genealogy, and family history; he could trace his lineage to Charlemagne and Widukind. He was a lifelong Christian and loved his Lord Jesus Christ. Gary will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Garald was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Marguerite; parents-in-law, Henry and Grace Coelingh; sons, Garald L. Gemmen Jr. and Patrick J. Gemmen; brother, Roger Gemmen; brother-in-law, Bruce Coeling; and daughter-in-law, Sandi (Truss) Gemmen. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia Gemmen; daughter, Heather E. Gemmen; daughter-in-law, Loriann Gemmen; grandchildren, Lyndsey, Andrea, Kurtis, and Christopher; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Fred Jacobs; and sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathy Coelingh Giese and Neill Giese, Laurie Gemmen. He was loved by his golden retriever Gunther II Herr von Gemen. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at 11 a.m. at First Allendale Christian Reformed Church, 5734 Country View Drive, Allendale, with Rev. Allen Petroelje officiating.  Interment will be held at Allendale Township Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Allendale), 6651 Scott St. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Allendale Christian School or Renew Therapeutic Riding Center in care of Lauren Sloterbeek, Gunther’s dog walker.