Joan Edith Van Der Weele

Visitation: Tuesday, September 2, from 9:30 - 11 AM at Covenant CRC
Service: 11 AM, Tuesday, September 2, at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 7171 Willard Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49548
Cemetery: Blain Cemetery
Memorials: Covenant CRC https://www.crcna.org/ or Byron Community Ministries 8250 Byron Creek Dr SWByron Center, MI 49315 https://byronministries.org/
Live Streamed through Covenant CRC YouTube channel @CovenantChurchGrandRapids
Joan Van Der Weele (Van Haveren) at the age of 90 was called to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 28, 2025. Joan was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Andrew and Ida (Miesfeld) on May 1, 1935. She graduated from Sheboygan Christian School, Sheboygan North High School in 1953, and Deaconess School of Nursing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There she earned a R.N. degree in 1957. She worked 40 years as a nurse at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, Sheboygan Retirement Home, and then finished her nursing career at Grube Pharmacy/Home Health Care. Joan married Donald Van Der Weele on May 10, 1958, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheboygan. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before Don passed away in 2019. Joan and Don had moved to Cutlerville, Michigan in 2001 to be by their children and grandchildren. Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and recently great-grandmother. They were her pride and joy, and she will be missed very much by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family and friends. She supported her family by attending numerous sporting events (rain or shine), programs, dances, fundraisers, grandparent days, babysitting, and various other activities. Joan and Don liked to travel together to places like Florida for several weeks at a time, sightseeing in Michigan, and visit other states sometimes with family or friends. Joan loved to read, do word searches, knit, and bake. She was known for her fruit breads, chocolate chip cookies, and sending out cards. Joan and Don were faithful and longtime members at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheboygan and Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joan attended Bible studies, was on many committees, served Sunday coffee, cared about people's needs by providing meals, greeting cards, phone calls, visits, and delivered senior meals through Byron Ministries. Joan's faith in God, acts of kindness, and care for others caused her to touch many lives throughout her 90 years on earth. She loved God, her family, and many friends. Joan is survived by her children, Brian and (Lois) Vander Weele, Keith and (Lori) Vander Weele, Cheryl and (Dave) Spoelma; grandchildren, Kyle and (Leanne) Spoelma, Tyler and (Rachael) Spoelma, Elise and (Nick) Memmelaar, Elena VanderWeele, Karisa VanderWeele, Eden VanderWeele, and Kayla VanderWeele; great grandchildren, Hadley Spoelma, Emery Memmelaar, Evelyn Spoelma, Logan Memmelaar, Seth Spoelma; brother-in-law, Ray and Phyllis (Palazzolo) Vander Weele, and other treasured friends and family members. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Van Der Weele; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other family and friends. Joan and the family were very thankful for the care she had at Samaritas Senior Living/StoryPoint Grand Rapids East, ComForCare, Corso Care, Corewell Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Corewell Health Hospice. The funeral service will be held at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 7171 Willard Ave, SE, on Tuesday, September 2, at 11 AM with her son-in-law Rev. David Spoelma officiating. Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment will be in Blain Cemetery. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers can do so to Covenant Christian Reformed Church or Byron Community Ministries.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31