The Reverend Gary VanKoevering, age 80, of Jenison, passed away and is now in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ. He received his Master of Divinity from Western Seminary. As a minister of God’s Word with the Reformed Church in America, he touched many lives while serving at First Reformed in Maurice, IA; First Reformed in Fremont, MI; and Fair Haven Church in Jenison, MI. Gary was known for his hugs that healed, encouraged, and expressed his love. In recent years, he knitted hundreds of hats that he gave away to family, friends, and local ministries. His motto for living was to do what he could, with what he had, where he was, for the Lord. Gary was preceded in death by his brothers, Glenn, Earl, Ivan, Gene, and Robert; sisters-in-law, Norma and Leona; and Elaine’s brother Harvey Mast and his wife, Barb. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Elaine (Mast); children, Curt and Kristi VanKoevering, and Kara and Brian Tacoma; grandchildren, Hannahjo VanKoevering, Moses and Hailey VanKoevering, Bethany Tacoma, Hilary Tacoma and her fiance Mason Underhill; and his great-granddaughter, Hadassah VanKoevering. He is also survived by his brother, Paul VanKoevering; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Betty VanKoevering and Joyce VanKoevering; John and Sue Mast, Mary and Bern Brower; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at Fair Haven Church, 2900 Baldwin St., Hudsonville with Pastor Greg VanderMeer officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Saturday from 2-6 pm at Fair Haven and also one hour prior to the service on Sunday. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Mission India or Fair Haven Church Hand2Hand Ministries.
Visitation
Saturday, January 14
2:00pm - 6:00pm
Fair Haven Church
2900 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Visitaiton
Sunday, January 15
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Fair Haven Church
2900 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Funeral Service
Sunday, January 15
2:00pm
Fair Haven Church
2900 Baldwin St.
Hudsonville, MI 49426
Leave Your Tribute Message
January 24, 2023 11:14am
My deepest sympathy - Gary was serving in Fremont throughout my college and Western Seminary years. He, along with John Mark Schoon, Dale Matthews and so many others were foundational in modeling ministry for me. A Life Well Lived.
- Van Rathbun
January 19, 2023 12:52pm
Deepest sympathies to the entire VanKoevering family for the loss of such a loving person. Thank you Pastor Gary for the many years of Love and encouragement you gave to our family over the years in our ups and downs. The baptism of both our children. The many hospital visits (even to Annarbor) during our child’s heart issues. Thank you God for the thousands and thousands of hearts that Pastor Gary touched. ❤️❤️🩹❤️❤️🩹
- Thomas Datema
January 18, 2023 2:40pm
Elaine and family, Gary will always be missed by you. He was a great guy and it was a blessing to have known him. May God wrap his arms of comfort around you.
- Mary Kay Schoon
January 15, 2023 4:12pm
Pastor Gary married us in 1979 when we attended First Reformed Church in Fremont, Michigan. His gentle and wise counseling were foundational in our early marriage and his love for Jesus and others an example to all. Well done good and faithful servant. Thank you for the legacy you have left behind. Mike and Caryn Johnson
- Mike and Caryn Johnson
January 14, 2023 8:55pm
Pastor Gary was a beautiful soul who shared the love of Jesus with all he met. He was an integral part of my faith journey as well as my husband Jeff’s. He married us after leading us through our marriage counseling. He guided our family through the loss of my dad and his bear hugs were the best. He is going to be missed greatly! Love you Pastor Gary! I’m sure you were blessed with a joyous homecoming and the greeting…”Well done my good and faithful servant”. 🥲💕
- Jeff and Sherrie Jawor
January 13, 2023 6:23pm
Gary was a wonderful pastor and friend. he will be dearly missed. our prayers and sympathies for Elaine and families
- stan and barb stroven
January 12, 2023 5:02pm
Offering our deepest sympathies to the VanKoevering family.
- Riggs Family
January 12, 2023 3:41pm
Rev. VanKoevering always had a great message from the pulpit and we always enjoyed the services and conversations. Deepest sympathies to his wife and the family in this sad time. Randy & Deb DeWeerd
- Randy&Deb; DeWeerd
January 11, 2023 12:41pm
Not only was Rev VanKovering a servant of God. He was a remarkable minister. Missed him so much when he left Fremont. Will always remember his smile and all his words. He married my husband (Terry) and me at my husband's parents home back in 1979. So kind, humble. Just truly a man of God. I will miss you Gary.🙏💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏
- Andrea Price
January 11, 2023 10:57am
Gary was such a wonderful man who truly was the hands and feet of Jesus.
- Ken and Sue Prins
January 11, 2023 10:28am
Gary was a wonderful man, greatly admired by us and our children and a role model for all. Our prayers for Elaine, Curt, Kara their children and baby Haddie. Russ & Wendy DeJonge
- Russ & Wendy DeJonge
January 10, 2023 10:21pm
Rev. VanKovering was my pastor growing up and He was truly a man of God and was a great minister. I really loved him as my pastor and leader in Maurice,iowa. Sympathies and prayers for his wife and families.
- Lorna Hulstein Leavitt
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