David Vander Ploeg
June 17th, 1936 - November 20th, 2023
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David's Obituary
David Vander Ploeg, 87, died peacefully on November 20, 2023 at Provision Living in St. Joseph, Michigan.
Beloved husband to Sheryl (Kragt), his wife of 64 years, loving father to his children Dan (Dixie), Dawn (Jim) Hartwell, and Janice (Michael) Visser; proud grandfather to Rachel and Steve Taplin, Luke and Caleb Vander Ploeg, Esther and Hunter Anthony, Erin and Paul Genua, Ryan and Lauryn Hartwell, David and Audrey Hartwell, Sarah Hartwell, Abigail and Elizabeth Visser, cherished great grandfather of Kensington, Holden and Beckett Genua, Aaron, Addison, Braedon and Landon Taplin, Stevie and Lincoln Anthony. Son of John and Josephine of Holland, MI. Brother to late Joyce (late Webb) Dalman, late Earl (Marge) Vander Ploeg, and Judy (Joel) (late Steve) Steggerda Spykerman. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
David went to Holland Christian Schools K-12 where he started dating Sheryl in high school. He received an accounting degree from Michigan State University and a juris doctorate degree from University of Michigan. David and Sheryl got married in 1959 and they moved to St. Joseph in 1961 where David became a partner in the law firm of Ryan and McQuillan. In 1988 David and Sheryl moved to Orland Park, IL when he become the Executive Director of The Back to God Hour (now called Reframe Ministries). He had a passion for Christian stewardship and was one of the founders of The Barnabas Foundation in 1976 and then became the Executive Director from 1993-2000 when he retired back to St. Joseph, Michigan.
David and Sheryl were charter members of The Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph in 1961. They served on the steering committee of the Young Life ministry for St. Joseph in the late 1970s.
David was on many boards including Calvin University, Ministers Pension Fund for the CRC, Roseland Christian Health Center, Eastern Ukraine Theological Seminary,
He was active in his church, a faithful member of Bible Study Fellowship, and a Crossroads Prison Ministries mentor. He was fully committed to his Lord and Savior.
He loved being active playing racquetball, traveling, sailing, biking. and spending time with his family. We already miss his wisdom and leadership. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Reframe Ministries (formerly Back to God Ministries International) 1700 28th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508-9915.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at The Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, 3275 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 with Rev. Dale Cooper officiating. Burial was held in Holland, MI. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to share a memory of David online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Beloved husband to Sheryl (Kragt), his wife of 64 years, loving father to his children Dan (Dixie), Dawn (Jim) Hartwell, and Janice (Michael) Visser; proud grandfather to Rachel and Steve Taplin, Luke and Caleb Vander Ploeg, Esther and Hunter Anthony, Erin and Paul Genua, Ryan and Lauryn Hartwell, David and Audrey Hartwell, Sarah Hartwell, Abigail and Elizabeth Visser, cherished great grandfather of Kensington, Holden and Beckett Genua, Aaron, Addison, Braedon and Landon Taplin, Stevie and Lincoln Anthony. Son of John and Josephine of Holland, MI. Brother to late Joyce (late Webb) Dalman, late Earl (Marge) Vander Ploeg, and Judy (Joel) (late Steve) Steggerda Spykerman. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
David went to Holland Christian Schools K-12 where he started dating Sheryl in high school. He received an accounting degree from Michigan State University and a juris doctorate degree from University of Michigan. David and Sheryl got married in 1959 and they moved to St. Joseph in 1961 where David became a partner in the law firm of Ryan and McQuillan. In 1988 David and Sheryl moved to Orland Park, IL when he become the Executive Director of The Back to God Hour (now called Reframe Ministries). He had a passion for Christian stewardship and was one of the founders of The Barnabas Foundation in 1976 and then became the Executive Director from 1993-2000 when he retired back to St. Joseph, Michigan.
David and Sheryl were charter members of The Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph in 1961. They served on the steering committee of the Young Life ministry for St. Joseph in the late 1970s.
David was on many boards including Calvin University, Ministers Pension Fund for the CRC, Roseland Christian Health Center, Eastern Ukraine Theological Seminary,
He was active in his church, a faithful member of Bible Study Fellowship, and a Crossroads Prison Ministries mentor. He was fully committed to his Lord and Savior.
He loved being active playing racquetball, traveling, sailing, biking. and spending time with his family. We already miss his wisdom and leadership. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Reframe Ministries (formerly Back to God Ministries International) 1700 28th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508-9915.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at The Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, 3275 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085 with Rev. Dale Cooper officiating. Burial was held in Holland, MI. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to share a memory of David online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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