Gerald Lee Van Oordt

1937 - 2015

Gerald Lee Van Oordt, 78, saved by God's grace, went to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 31, 2015, after a short battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Genevieve; brothers, Ken and Craig; nephew, Darren Rogers; and great-grandson, Jude DeCan. He is survived by his children, Karen DeCan of Spring Lake, Kevin (Julie) Van Oordt of Jenison, Kurt (Margot) Van Oordt of Grand Haven, and Kim (Dan) Veen of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Derek (Kara), Erin, Kara (Kelly), Sarah, Paige, Brooke, Mya, Noah, Makenna, Eli, and Isaac; great-grandchildren, Emery and Cohen; siblings, Edna Rogers of Florida, Mary Bramer of Grand Haven, and Loren Van Oordt of South Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was born June 16, 1937, in Grand Haven. He was a long-time resident of Spring Lake, and graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School in 1955. He served in the United States Naval Reserve for 27 years. During his retirement years, living in Fennville, Jerry was active in community gardening projects and food distribution programs in Holland and Fennville. Later in life, he spent time in California sharing his faith with those in need of God's saving grace.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 24 at 3 p.m. at Nortonville Gospel Chapel, 14528 Leonard Road, Spring Lake, Michigan with Pastor Dennis Snyder officiating. Relatives and friends can meet with the family from 2-2:45 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Faith Hospice.