Robert TenHarkel Sr.

Robert John TenHarkel Sr., aged 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to his eternal home on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He was a humble, grateful, and hardworking servant of the Lord.

Bob was born in Grand Rapids on February 17, 1943, attended West Side Christian, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1961. During his childhood he was fortunate to visit all 48 contiguous states, which fostered a lifetime love of travel. These childhood road trips cemented his encyclopedic knowledge of the U.S. Interstate system. After graduation, Bob served in the Army National Guard for six years. He worked from a young age, sweeping floors at his father’s White Printing Company, and was able to buy his first boat at age 14. He continued to work in the printing industry when White Printing merged with Dickinson Press, where he was a printer for over forty years. He took great satisfaction in knowing that he facilitated the production of thousands of Bibles in multiple languages during his career. He married Marilyn Hamming in 1964, and they raised their three children– Deb, Bob, and Jodi–  in Jenison and spent their summers boating and camping. After retirement, Bob and Marilyn enjoyed traveling including Alaska and Hawaii, spending their winters in Florida, and visiting their daughter, Jodi, and her family in Virginia. He also enjoyed riding his bike, playing a bit of golf, shopping nearly daily at Costco, and watching sports on TV. Bob did not like to sit still, but when he did he could fall asleep almost instantly regardless of the noise level around him. He spent his last 15 months at Sunset Manor, where he made many friends and started a men’s coffee group. We rejoice that despite his late-stage dementia, he recognized his wife, children, and grandchildren even in his last days and is now made whole with a clear mind in his heavenly home. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth (Kooi) TenHarkel. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marilyn (Hamming) TenHarkel; children: Deb and Tim Sneller, Bob and Lisa TenHarkel, Jodi and Jon DeWitte; eight grandchildren: Heather (Bryan) Forester, Kristen (Dave) Schell, Carrie (David) McMillan, Megan TenHarkel (Gary Boyer), Tyler TenHarkel, Nathan DeWitte, Katherine DeWitte, and Joshua DeWitte; six great-grandchildren: Corwyn, Aurora, Ryan, Micah, Jace, and Everett; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilyn and Len Zweedyk, Carol and Bob Christians; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Karen Hamming; many nieces, nephews, and longtime friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Rick Kiekintveld officiating. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Thursday, June 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the staff at Sunset and Corewell Health Hospice for the loving care they provided. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Sunset Legacy Foundation.