Mearl R Van Diepenbos

Mearl R Van Diepenbos, born on February 11, 1941, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on June 20, 2017. Mearl, the son of Hessel and LaVeta (Swoveland) Van Diepenbos, was born in Goshen, Indiana, and graduated from Goshen High School. He then attended Calvin College and later graduated from Aquinas College with his B.S. in Computer Science. On July 7, 1962, Mearl married Mary Steenwyk; they had three children, Mark, Michael, and Marie. Mearl worked for Gordon Food Service for 32 years as a Computer Programmer, Business and Systems Analyst, and Field Service Specialist. Upon retirement, Mearl kept busy with Bible studies, traveling, and photography. For the past few years, he was very involved volunteering for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. He also loved nature, especially canoeing and exploring waterfalls. Mearl was an active member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids. Mearl is survived by the love of his life, Mary; his children, Mark (Robin), Michael (Elizabeth), and Marie (Phillip) Bauman-Wyman; grandchildren, Audrey (Dan), Andrew, Eric, Erica (Nick), Joel, Tiffany (Matt), Matthew, Sarah, Tyler, and Elena; great-grandchildren, Xander, Sophia, Layla, and Dalton; sister, Evelyn (William) Koruna; sisters-in-law, Barb Wiegers, Ruth Vos, and Evonne Steenwyk; and brother-in-law-squareds, John Wiegers and Marvin Vos; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hessel and LaVeta; his brother, Frederick; and his brother-in-law, Gerrit Steenwyk. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24, at 11:00 a.m. at First Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, 650 Bates St. SE, Grand Rapids, with Pastor Randy Buursma officiating. Interment will be held at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Friday, June 23, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Kent County or the “Restoring Place, Opening Doors” campaign of First Church.

Leave Your Tribute Message

June 26, 2017

Mary, praying for you in this time of grief. I would have stopped at the funeral home or funeral, but just saw Mearl's obituary in the Press yesterday. I have fond memories of Mearl's warm welcome and friendship for a freshman during the year we lived together at Calvin on Dunham St. I also loved your years of commitment to urban ministry at 1st CRC. Blessings and prayers for God's presence and comfort to be very real in Mearl's absence. - Gene Beerens

- Gene Beerens

June 23, 2017

This breaks my heart, as Mearl was such a dedicated volunteer my last three years at Habitat Kent. He would show up to every Habitat home dedication and take photos of the dedication events, while also tracking the progress of each build so (Resource Development team) we could steward and inspire donors. He was a gentle man with a big heart and a passion for service. I hope to find my craft when I retire like you did, Mearl, to serve others. RIP, Mearl. Jon

- Jon Hankins

June 23, 2017

- Jon Hankins

June 23, 2017

Dear Mearl, It was a pleasure working with you, meeting you on a job sites where I was there for work and you were there for love--your giving inspired me to give more of myself at my work, the work we shared in common. Well done sir, God speed--

- John Marek, Habitat employee

June 22, 2017

You were a turn Christian man's man! God bless and enjoy your new home!

- Doug Messick

June 22, 2017

We learned of Mearl's passing from Paul Grimes. I grew up in the same neighborhood as Mearl and we worked together on passing out The Goshen News newspapers on the northside of Goshen Indiana for several years. We are truly sorry for your sadness. we hope your good memories and times of joy will sustain you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers for comfort and encouragement as you journey these days. With heartfelt sympathies. Jim and Betty Van Winkle

- Jim and Betty Van Winkle

June 21, 2017

We send prayers and sympathy during this difficult time. Nancy McKee & Dave Kelly

- Nancy McKee

June 21, 2017

Glad to have known Mearl and Mary through the ThyCa organization.

- Robert Hansen

June 21, 2017

Dear Mary and family, I am deeply saddened to hear of Mearls passing. We are never ready to say goodbye to our loved ones.

- Leah Guljord

June 21, 2017

Rest In Peace friend, we'll meet for coffee one day

- Met Lindle

June 21, 2017

Dearest Mearl, Met and I will miss you dearly. Thank you for blessing us with your friendship and for your kind and fun companionship at our many ThyCa conferences around the country. Warmest of hugs to you dear Mary. xoxo Cheri Lindle

- Cheri Lindle

June 21, 2017

Van Diepenbos family, I don't have the words to comfort you, but you are in our thoughts as you deal with the loss of Mearl. I feel privileged to have made his acquaintance and thoroughly enjoyed the limited time that I spent with him.

- Don Keaton

June 21, 2017

Here is a poem that was in my father's memorial when he passed away in 1999. It gave me great comfort then and I hope it does the same for you. THE WEAVER "My life is but a weaving Between my Lord and me; I may not choose the colors He knows what they should be; For He can see the pattern Upon the upper side While I can see it only On this the under side. Sometimes He weaveth illness Which seemeth strange to me: But I will trust His judgement, And work on faithfully; ‘Tis He who fills the shuttle He knows just what is best, So I will weave in earnest And leave with Him the rest. Not till the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reason why- The dark threads are as needful, In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned." My life was truly blessed and enriched knowing and working with Mearl at GFS. - Bob Ringel -

- Bob Ringel

June 21, 2017

Crying with you from the human perspective, but rejoicing that Uncle Mearl has met Jesus and is glorifying God in his heavenly home.

- Joan Johnson