James Harvey Vander Kolk
December 31st, 1942 - February 28th, 2024
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James's Obituary
James Harvey Vander Kolk was born December 31st, 1942 in Byron Center, Michigan to Harvey and Marian (Alles) VanderKolk. He and his two brothers John and Jerry lived just up the road from their Grandparent’s farm as well as Jim’s childhood Church. It was here he developed his love of the land, working long hours in the fields, immersed in the culture and resilience of this pastoral farming community.
The course of Jim’s life was changed forever while attending Hope College, and the name of that change was Marilynn Bates. Marilynn would accompany him for the next six decades, for better or for worse, with a devotion and strength of character that is beyond estimation.
Jim and Marilynn settled down in South Haven, where Jim taught High School science during the school year and devoted summers to numerous projects and travel with his family. Shortly after arriving they added a son, Brian to the family and two years later their daughter Julie was born.
Eventually the lure of farm life became irresistible, and Jim moved the family to a blueberry farm outside of town. The farm was a blank canvas, and for the next forty years Jim worked resolutely to bring his vision to life on the land. It was a labor of love, a journey of hard work, uncertainty, disappointment and reward. Through it all, by his side or behind the scenes, encouraging or challenging, was Marilynn. In later years Jim and Marilynn took a second residence by a quiet lake in the country and traveled between Michigan and Florida visiting old friends. Jim was diagnosed with cancer during covid, which in turn led to an ongoing series of health issues over the course of the next few years. In spite of this he took every opportunity to spend time in his shop or on the farm, looking over projects and working as much as he could. Jim’s love of his work was second only to his love of family and his pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
Jim passed away quietly overnight on February 28th. Marilynn remains blessed by the remarkable family she helped create. Their son Brian and wife Kerry have three grown children: Abby, Alec and Brandon. Daughter Julie and son-in-law Scott Vincent raised their children Colten, Taylor and Trevor on property adjoining the family farm, where Colten and bride-to-be Katarina are now raising their son, Jim and Marilynn’s great-grandson, Kole. Jim’s brother Jerry died in an accident when he was a young man, while John still lives on the family farm where he and wife Lori raised their two children Jacob and Valerie.
A family memorial gathering will be held in lieu of a funeral service. Those who would like to offer contributions in Jim’s memory are encouraged to consider the South Haven Area Community Foundation Scholarship Fund: P.O. Box 507, South Haven, MI 49090-0507 or the Stepping Stones Association: 319 Hogan’s Alley, South Haven, MI 49090. To view Jim's personal webpage please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
The course of Jim’s life was changed forever while attending Hope College, and the name of that change was Marilynn Bates. Marilynn would accompany him for the next six decades, for better or for worse, with a devotion and strength of character that is beyond estimation.
Jim and Marilynn settled down in South Haven, where Jim taught High School science during the school year and devoted summers to numerous projects and travel with his family. Shortly after arriving they added a son, Brian to the family and two years later their daughter Julie was born.
Eventually the lure of farm life became irresistible, and Jim moved the family to a blueberry farm outside of town. The farm was a blank canvas, and for the next forty years Jim worked resolutely to bring his vision to life on the land. It was a labor of love, a journey of hard work, uncertainty, disappointment and reward. Through it all, by his side or behind the scenes, encouraging or challenging, was Marilynn. In later years Jim and Marilynn took a second residence by a quiet lake in the country and traveled between Michigan and Florida visiting old friends. Jim was diagnosed with cancer during covid, which in turn led to an ongoing series of health issues over the course of the next few years. In spite of this he took every opportunity to spend time in his shop or on the farm, looking over projects and working as much as he could. Jim’s love of his work was second only to his love of family and his pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
Jim passed away quietly overnight on February 28th. Marilynn remains blessed by the remarkable family she helped create. Their son Brian and wife Kerry have three grown children: Abby, Alec and Brandon. Daughter Julie and son-in-law Scott Vincent raised their children Colten, Taylor and Trevor on property adjoining the family farm, where Colten and bride-to-be Katarina are now raising their son, Jim and Marilynn’s great-grandson, Kole. Jim’s brother Jerry died in an accident when he was a young man, while John still lives on the family farm where he and wife Lori raised their two children Jacob and Valerie.
A family memorial gathering will be held in lieu of a funeral service. Those who would like to offer contributions in Jim’s memory are encouraged to consider the South Haven Area Community Foundation Scholarship Fund: P.O. Box 507, South Haven, MI 49090-0507 or the Stepping Stones Association: 319 Hogan’s Alley, South Haven, MI 49090. To view Jim's personal webpage please visit; www.starksfamilyfh.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel-Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
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