Gerald Henry Van Oeveren

To:  Grand Rapids Press Gerald Henry Van Oeveren, age 81, of Allendale, Michigan, joined our Lord, Jesus Christ on Friday, December 30, 2016, surrounded by family and the love of his life, Karen June.  Jerry was born January 21, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Neil and Hazel Van Oeveren. Jerry is the youngest sibling of three boys. Robert and Harold were his older brothers who have also joined the Lord. He served in the Air Force from 1953 through 1956 in Selma, Alabama before marrying his best friend Karen (Schipper) Van Oeveren. After serving time in the Air Force, Jerry spent most of his career employed as a printer, working for Eerdmans Publishing, and then, Dickinson Press. He was a proud father of four children, Kathleen Van Oeveren-Goss, Laurie Stevens (husband Rick), Gerald Jr. Van Oeveren (wife Sarah), and John Van Oeveren (wife Christine). He enjoyed being outdoors cutting wood, doing yard work, and often walking ten miles a day. Jerry and Karen were best friends, married for almost 60 years. His children, grandchildren and several great-grandchildren will miss him. Gerald is also survived by his sister-in-law, Wilma Van Oeveren. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at Fellowship Reformed Church (6610 36th Avenue, Hudsonville).  Pastor Jeremy Visser will officiate.  Interment will be held at Allendale Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit the family from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice.