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.