Rev. Kenneth Verhulst

Rev. Kenneth Jay Verhulst, died on Thursday, June 22, 2017, of complications related to Lewy Body Dementia. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kathy (Heemstra) in 1995. He is survived by his children, Kimberley Joy (Carlos Belez) of Harrisonburg, VA; Kari Jo Verhulst (Ernesto Valiente) of Watertown, MA, Michael Glenn (Amanda Putnam) of Coram, NY; grandchildren, Hannah Rebekah Valiente-Verhulst and Liam Henry Putnam; sister, Gladys Verhulst; sister-in-law, Judie Verhulst; brother-in-law, Ken Heemstra (Pat); and many nephews and nieces. Ken was born in Chicago, IL on September 26, 1940 to the Rev. Theodore and Rena Verhulst. He graduated from Calvin Theological Seminary (1966). During his seminary studies, he spent a year working with the Christian Reformed Church in Harlem, NY, where he met his future wife, Kathy (Helen Heemstra), who was also serving that community. Rev. Verhulst served as pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in Nobleford, Alberta, Canada (1966 – 1971), then through the Christian Reformed Home Missions Board at the Lighthouse ministry in Toronto, Ontario (1971 – 1979) and as a church planter of Peace Community CRC in Calgary, Alberta (1979 – 1985). In 1985, he was called as pastor to Christ Community Church CRC in East Islip, NY where he served until his retirement in 2006. Ken sought to live out Jesus’ call to extend love, justice, and mercy to the marginalized, spending much of his retirement years volunteering with social justice ministries. He was a playful and loving grandfather and an avid lover of music, singing in choirs until his illness took his voice away. He was an active member of Sherman Street CRC, where he served as an elder until his health declined. Private graveside services were held at Rosedale Memorial Park.  A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 29 at 1:00 pm at Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church, 1000 Sherman Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Gifts in his memory can be made to the Christian Reformed Home Missions or Sherman Street Christian Reformed Church.