Lawrence VanderRoest

VANDERROEST, Lawrence Kalamazoo It was on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 that Lawrence entered the glories of heaven and saw his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Lawrence was born October 17, 1920 in Kalamazoo, a son of John and Adriana Langerveld VanderRoest and remained a lifelong Kalamazoo resident. Lawrence served in the US Army during WW II. He was a part of the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, for which he received medals of distinction. From 1946 to 1959, he and his wife, Rina, owned and operated the Knollwood Food Market. He later worked at Hoekstra Meat Company. Lawrence was very active in the Christian community. He was a former member of Knollwood Christian Reformed Church, where he served as an Elder and Sunday School superintendent. Later he joined Third Christian Reformed Church, where he served as an Elder. He also served as a lay-pastor at Lexington Green Christian Reformed Church from 1966-1973. He led Bible Studies at Second Christian Reformed Church and Immanuel Fellowship Church, where he also preached over 100 sermons. For 19 years he faithfully led the Wednesday evening service at Park Village Pines, the last service being 3 weeks ago. Other ministries included the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Kalamazoo State Psychiatric Hospital and area nursing facilities. In 1995 he became a member of Fourth Reformed Church. On November 12, 1941, he was united in marriage for 58 years to Rina VandenBos, who passed away May 14, 2000. Lawrence was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ed VanderRoest. Surviving are 2 sons and their wives, Rev. James and Sandra VanderRoest of Kalamazoo and Larry and Diane VanderRoest of Brighton; 5 grandchildren, Dr. James and Karla VanderRoest of South Haven, Dr. Stephen and Jennifer VanderRoest of Traverse City, Jonathan and Laura VanderRoest of Grand Haven, Katie VanderRoest and Kyle VanderRoest of Brighton; 7 great-grandchildren, Molly, Nathan, Jacob, Abbey, Samuel, Ethan and Elliot VanderRoest; a brother, Carl Helena VanderRoest; brothers and sisters-in-law, John VandenBos, Harold White, Harriet and Phil Struble, Janet Badham, JoAnn and Vern Haas; many nieces and nephews. On December 2, 2000 he was united in marriage to Hattie VanZee and they enjoyed six happy, fun filled years together. Surviving are his wife Hattie; and her children, Jane Dave Bills of Flushing, Esther Ken Thoroughman of Climax, Marilyn Dan Wheeler of Cooper; three grandsons, Mike Bills of Seattle, WA, Steve Bills of Allendale and Kurt Thoroughman of St. Louis, MO; plus other close relatives. Following a 9:30 AM committal service at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday in the Fourth Reformed Church, 6339 Atlantic Ave. with the Rev. Dr. Harry Arnold officiating. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street on Sunday from 1-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Park Village Pines.