William Vande Werken

VANDE WERKEN, William Kalamazoo Bill went to be with his Lord, Thursday morning, July 5, 2007 while at Bronson Hospital. He was born August 21, 1937 in Kalamazoo, the son of John and Nellie Pons Vande Werken. He had been employed with Kalamazoo Public School for 23 years, as a musical instrument repair technician, retiring in 2000. In earlier years he worked at WL Molding, Mastercraft, Toy and Hobby Shop and Midwest Music. He loved to entertain people with jokes and stories and always had one ready for every occasion. Bill was a member of Oakwood Bible Church where he served on the board and directed the choir. He also directed choirs at Berean Baptist Church and Westwood Baptist Church. While at Westwood he directed a college age vocal group by the name of Adoration, which traveled to various churches in the Midwest area. Music was a major part of his life from childhood to retirement. He sang with the Kalamazoo Male Chorus, the Kalamazoo Oratorical Society and the Singing Crusaders. He was instrumental in starting the Community Wide Hymn Sings which met at various churches. He attended Kalamazoo Central and Western Michigan University. While in high school, he played the tuba in the band. At Western, he joined the Men?s Glee Club and went with them to the World?s Fair held in New York City. During retirement, he started playing the tuba again and joined the Portage Senior Center Band. He had many other interests. He obtained his ham radio license and was presently president of the Southwest Michigan Amateur Radio Team SMART. He also enjoyed digital photography and used his computer to print his own pictures and create many other items. Earlier, Bill was also a member of the Kalamazoo Magic Club, the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians. He had the opportunity to entertain at banquets, birthday parties and programs. He especially enjoyed watching the expressions of people?s faces as he performed a trick. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and a brother-in-law, Roger De Vries. Surviving are his wife Barbara of 44 years; daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Greg Newhouse of Kalamazoo; two granddaughters, Meaghan and Hannah; one sister, Wilma De Vries; his aunt, Marie Howard Schelp; two nieces; and one nephew. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday in the Oakwood Bible Church, 4100 Oakland Drive, with Pastor Stephen Johnson officiating. Interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. on Sunday from 1-3 and 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be directed to Oakwood Bible Church Memorial Fund, the West Michigan Cancer Center or the charity of one?s choice.