Rev. Dr. Raymond Van Heukelom

Rev. Dr. Raymond R. Van Heukelom, age 93, of Holland, died Friday April 18, 2008 in the Inn at Freedom Village.

He was born in Mahaska County, Iowa on July 13, 1914. He was ordained on June 20, 1940 in the Grand Rapids Classis of the Reformed Church in America. He served Corinth Community Reformed Church , Emmanuel Reformed Church in Chicago, First Reformed Church in Holland, MI, and First Reformed Church in Orange City, IA. In retirement, he served as an assistant to the Pastor of Central Park Reformed Church in Holland for seven years.

He served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II and remained in the United States Army Reserves until he was 60 years old retiring with the rank of Colonel.

After graduating from Central College in Pella, he went on to earn a Master’s of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary in Holland. He later earned a Th. M from Calvin Seminary and a Th. D. from Northern Baptist Seminary. He served as a Board Member of Central College in Pella Iowa, Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, and Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. He was on the Board of the RCA World Missions and served as President. He was President of the RCA General Synod from June of 1968 to June of 1969 and was the Host Pastor for General Synod of the RCA meeting in Orange City Iowa in June of 1971.

His wife Johanna (De Ronde) Van Heukelom and his son, Eugene Van Heukelom, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Connie Van Heukelom of Grand Haven, his son Dr. John Van Heukelom of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his daughters-in-law, Gretchen Van Heukelom of Cedar Rapids, IA and Rajean Schrotenboer of Holland; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty Godyk of Pella, Iowa, his sister-in-law, Ruth Jean Van Heukelom of Holland, and brother-in-law, Gerrit Sneller of Pella, Iowa; in laws, Peter Rus, Jennie Ver Meer, and Bob and Dot De Ronde, all of Pella, Iowa; Gladys De Ronde of Newton, Iowa, also several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services are 11 a.m. Monday April 21 at First Reformed Church, 630 State St. with the Rev. Dan Gillett officiating.

Burial with military honors will be in Graafschap Cemetery.

Visitation will be 2 to 5p.m. Sunday at the Northwood Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 295 Douglas Ave.

Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church Mission Fund.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Northwood Chapel. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo, or to sign the online guestbook.