Ed Vander Kooy

Edward James Vander Kooy, age 90, of Holland, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022, in Holland, Michigan.

Born on October 10, 1931, in Clinton, Iowa he went on to graduate from Illiana Christian High School, Lansing, Illinois in 1950. Thereafter he served two years in the United States Army, primarily at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. In 1958 he graduated from Hope College, in Holland.

He married Mary Ruth Burggraaff on June 28, 1957, who survives him, along with son, David Vander Kooy; daughter, Barbara (Doug) Panhorst, and grand-children Mark Panhorst and Erin (Mike) Schneider.

Preceding him in death were his father, Simon Vander Kooy; mother, Martina (Maaskant) Vander Kooy; brothers, Wally and Charlie, and sister Adrianna, affectionately known as Susie.

Ed worked in Holland for 20 years at H.E. Morse Co. and then co-founded Ottawa Gage, Inc., where he worked as Treasurer and President up to the time of his retirement in the late 1990’s. He was a long-time member of Christ Memorial Church, also in Holland, where he served as Elder, Deacon, and Treasurer and continually remained active there.

In retirement, which was anything but for Ed, he volunteered with many organizations, including Good Samaritan Ministries where he helped with financial counseling, and often drove people to appointments whether they be near or far. He also enjoyed discussions, traveling, and landscaping in his yard which over the years became incredibly beautiful.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, October 10, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, at the Dykstra Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd Street, Holland.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 11, at 1:00pm, at Christ Memorial Church, in the chapel, 595 Graafschap Rd, in Holland. A light reception will follow in the gathering space in Christ Memorial, and then burial will take place at approximately 3:30pm in Pilgrim Home Cemetery, 370 E. 16th Street, Holland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ed to Hope College or Christ Memorial Church.

Funeral arrangements are under the auspices of the Mulder Chapel.