Vernon P Herder

Vernon P. Herder – his Lord and Savior called him home on September 21, 2024, in Kalamazoo.

Vernon was born on February 4, 1929, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Hiram and Jennie Herder. He was a member of the Covenant United Reformed Church and had served on church councils as a deacon and elder in former churches. He also served on the South Christian school board. He was employed at the former Upjohn Company in the Sheet Metal Shop. On August 25, 1949, Vernon was united in marriage to Lois Miersma who went to be with the Lord in January 2008.

Surviving are his children, Jim and Lois Herder, Mike and Sue Herder, Joy Smelker, Dave and Julie Herder, and Doug and Cheryl Herder; grandchildren, Andy and Kara Herder, Bryan and Emily Herder, Scott Herder, Jeff and Tara Herder, Greg and Bethany Herder, Mark and April Herder, Joel and Lauren Herder, Tim and Karli Herder, Scott and Serih Smelker, Pam Smelker (John), Dan and Amanda Herder, Jason and Kerri Herder, Alan Herder, Kristen and Mike Yanagisawa, Steph and Nick Byma, Nate Herder and fiancé, Stephanie Wynia; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Luke, Aubrey, Logan, Kyle, Jackson, Brooklyn, Makayla, Elizabeth, Abby, Levi, Myles, Nick and Kelli, Ryan and Amanda, Cody and Julie, Travis, Garrett, Peyton, Julianna, Emory, Kaden, Levi and two babies expected this fall; 5 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Paul Herder; sister-in-law, Norma Herder, brother-in-law, Clarence Schippers, and many nieces and nephews.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, Simon and Alice Miersma, son-in-law, Dean Smelker; siblings, Nathan and Norma Herder, Bob Herder, Maureen Herder, Roy and Dorothy Soloman, Betty Schippers, Cal and Marguerite Miersma, Dan and Mary Miersma, Fred and Ruth Hanko; and great-granddaughter, Kayleigh Herder.

Services will be held on Thursday, September 26, at Covenant United Reformed Church, 3724 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. A visitation will begin at 12:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 pm. Vernon will be laid to rest with his wife at Mount Ever-Rest Memorial Park South during a private graveside ceremony.

Memorial donations may be made in Vernon’s honor to Covenant United Reformed Church – Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Christian School Association, Reformed Heritage Christian School, Centrica Care Navigators, or a charity of your choice.