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Ron Van Unen

June 2, 1933 - August 11, 2013
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, August 13, 2013
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Tuesday, August 13, 2013
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EDT
Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church
540 Cresent Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
2965 Leonard Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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With a faithful heart, Ron Van Unen lived life completely and fully. He was a loving and patient man who worked hard to provide for the family he loved. In all ways, Ron will be dearly remembered as a devoted husband and dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to those who knew and loved him.

While the nation struggled through the worst year of the Great Depression, the year 1933 saw an unprecedented U.S. jobless rate of over 15 million. At the same time, great strides were being made in the culture of America as Radio City Music Hall opened, and The Ranger, the first U.S. aircraft carrier, was launched. FDR held his first “Fireside Chat” to boost the spirits of Americans while their thirst for entertainment was a welcome deviation from hard economic times. In the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Peter and Jennette (Bremer) Van Unen found much to divert their attention when they celebrated the birth of their son, Rolland G. Van Unen on June 2, 1933.

Young Rolland was also welcomed by his older brother, Bud. However, tragedy befell their family when Rolland was merely nine months old when his father died. Left to raise two young sons alone, Rolland's mother was thankful for her good job sewing clothes for the military. As a family, they moved about the Grand Rapids area often. Even though they were a small family in number, Rolland always held close his childhood memories of spending the holidays together.

Rolland was affectionately referred to as Ron, and when he was a young boy of eight his favorite companion was his dog, Butch. With his mother working hard to support them, Ron learned to cook at the age of eight, often making his own suppers. At the age of 12, Ron also experienced the remarriage of his mother. Although his family did a great deal of traveling around the country, Ron received his early education from Fairview Elementary School before graduating from Union High School with the Class of 1951. He was never one to play sports in school, but one could always find him playing on the neighborhood ball teams during his youth. From an early age, seeds of faith were planted in Ron's heart as his family attended several west side churches on a regular basis.

In 1952, a local roller skating rink set the stage for a new chapter in Ron's life. It was there he was introduced to Elaine Quist through a few of her relatives. After dating for a time, Ron and Elaine became engaged, and on March 8, 1955 they were blessed in marriage at First Netherlands Reformed Church. There was no time for a honeymoon because Ron's duties in the U.S. Air Force found the newlyweds heading to Ohio where Ron returned to base. Two months later, he was sent on to Venice, California. Ron served in the Air Force for six and a half years before his honorable discharge.

During this time, Ron and Elaine were blessed with a wonderful family to call their own. It proved to be a difficult time when they sadly experienced the death of their infant son, Peter, but were forever thankful for their eight children who filled their bustling home with laughter and love. Mike, Cheryl, Ronald, Laurie, Betty, Marilea, Debra, and Janice brought such joy to their lives. The Van Unens vacationed throughout Michigan camping in many of the state parks where numerous memories were shared. In later years, Ron and Elaine often traveled to visit one of his longtime friends and Air Force buddy ,Lloyd, who lived in Kansas.

To support his thriving family, Ron worked in construction installing central vacuum systems in homes and buildings for most of his working career. When it came to food, he favored sweets and loved ice cream. He was also quite fond of his two favorites, cherry pie and donuts. Ron loved to cook and bake, and did so often throughout the years to the delight of family and friends.

Ron's thirst for growing in a closer walk with his Lord was only second to his faithful nature. A man of quiet faith, Ron led by example, which served his children well. He faithfully read the Bible, and various other religious books. He also took an interest in reading seminary text books. He served as a deacon in the church, but he had a real love for the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He was privileged to record all the lectures given at the seminary for ten years. As a result, he was honored with a Doctor of Theology degree. Some of Ron's favorite melodies included those from his youth. His most beloved were hymns, Psalters and southern gospel tunes. A good man with a good heart, Ron's patient and loving demeanor was a gift of grace for which he was truly thankful. Deeply missed, Ron will be remembered with love.

Mr. Rolland G. "Ron" Van Unen, age 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2013. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Peter Cornelius, and by his brother, Bud Van Unen. Ron is survived by his wife, Elaine; his children, Mike and Kathy Van Unen, Cheryl and Ken Ganzevoort, Ronald Van Unen, Laurie and Dan Carlson, Betty and Kevin Elliott, Marilea and John Schievink, Debra and Peter Bors, Janice and Todd Grammatico; 28 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brother, Henry and Kathy TenWolde; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lois and Fred Haley, Marilyn and Paul Schurman, Ken and Jan Quist.

Relatives and friends may meet with Ron's family at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 from 1-3 PM and 6-9 PM. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 11:00 AM at the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church, 540 Crescent Street NE with internment following in Rosedale Memorial Park. Contributions to the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary are appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Ron and to sign his online guest book.

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