James Van Timmeren

All who knew Jim Van Timmeren would agree that there was no one who met him and left unchanged. He was equipped with an unwavering faith, and he lived to share the faith he cherished with as many people as he could. Second only to his faith was the love that Jim had for his family as he was completely devoted to his wife with whom he witnessed his family tree blossom to include the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he adored. Selfless when it came to those around him, he was always looking for ways he could serve, well into his sunset years. Jim will be deeply missed, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps.

The 1930s were anything but easy as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs became scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and a severe drought crippled our nation’s heartland for nearly two years. It was in 1931 that Henry and Corneilia (Weber) Van Timmeren were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as spring unfolded in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in May of 1931. They didn’t have to wait long as the baby boy they named James Lawrence was born on May 3rd. He was raised in the family home on Penn Street NE, which is also where he was most likely born. Jim was the middle of three boys, joining his older brother, Don, and later welcoming his younger brother, Tom, into the family. Jim and his family were active members of Coldbrook Christian Reformed Church, which was near their home.

In many ways Jim was a young man of his generation. He attended Creston Christian School and went on to Grand Rapids Central Christian where he played baseball, which was his foundation for his lifelong love of the game as he was an avid Tigers fan. As he became a teen, Jim did the typical things that teens do like hang out with his buddies after school, attend church, and participate in church activities with school friends, like catechism classes. Jim eventually made profession of faith at his church, too. His faith was always cornerstone in his life, and even from a young age he felt called to share the gospel of Christ with others. Jim went on to graduate from high school in 1949.

New and exciting changes were in store for Jim when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Ruth Ter Molen, and he couldn’t help but notice her as she was working at the soda fountain at Velma’s Drug Store where he frequently came for a soda. Although she was a student at Creston High School, they began dating. Their relationship soon changed when Jim felt called to join the Army to do his part during the Korean Conflict. While he was serving they corresponded through letters, and Ruth went on to graduate from high school. Jim was sent to Japan and worked in the department that was responsible for taking messages from the field and sending them on to the United States. Through his duties, Jim was responsible for sending off the message bearing news of the Korean ceasefire to the White House.

Following his time in the service, Jim returned to Grand Rapids and married his sweetheart at Ruth’s church, Creston Christian Reformed Church, on April 8, 1954, five years after they began dating. After a brief honeymoon in Florida, the newlyweds settled into an apartment on Quimby Street just three doors down from Ruth’s childhood home. Nine months later, the young couple purchased a home on Perkins Street, NE where they would live for the rest of their married life. Together Jim and Ruth welcomed two children, Ron and Dan, into their hearts and home. As a father Jim was very active with his sons as he was there for their sporting events and also hunted and fished with them. Summers found them spending time at a rented cottage on an inland lake in Michigan for vacation, which was where some of their most precious memories were made. Jim loved getting away from it all there and just focusing on being with his family.

It was important to Jim that they raise their boys in the faith, and that his sons came to embrace their own faith, too. After Coldbrook CRC moved to a new location, they called Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church their church home. Jim loved that his boys were active there, and he was, too, as he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Calvinist Cadet leader. In later years, he was always available to help serve during funeral lunches and also at other events at the church. Jim was also very active in the church choir and loved ministering through the programs they presented as well as enhancing the worship experience. Jim’s passion for spreading the gospel extended to his volunteer work with the Forgotten Man Ministries, a local jail ministry. Jim spent many years of Sunday afternoons going to and attending and leading ministry at the local Kent County Jail and the County Youth Camp.

Jim began his working career as a carpenter, building homes in the Grand Rapids area. In later years, he went to a firm that specialized in building commercial buildings. To this day, there are many local buildings that have the expertise of Jim Van Timmeren displayed in them in various ways.

During their retirement years, Jim and Ruth continued living fully. He seldom, if ever, missed any of his grandchildren’s events, even when confined to a wheelchair. Jim and Ruth traveled more, often taking bus trips when he became known as Pastor Jim since he led devotions and Sunday morning services on those trips. In addition to volunteering with the Forgotten Man Ministries, he also volunteered at the Fulton Manor of the Holland Home. Jim was deeply saddened with Ruth’s death in 2009, and he soon moved to Raybrook Manor of the Holland Home, first in independent living where he made new friends and joined in the men’s chorus and later moving to assisted living and eventually nursing.

Compassionate, generous, and faith filled, Jim Van Timmeren was a blessing to everyone he met. His faith was his compass, and he lived to tell others about the Lord he loved. Jim will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

VAN TIMMEREN – Mr. James L. Van Timmeren, aged 83 of Grand Rapids passed away Wednesday April 8, 2015 and went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth. Surviving are his children: Ron and Kristen Van Timmeren, Dan and Kathy Van Timmeren, his grandchildren: Christine and Drew Meyers, Andrew and Lauryl Van Timmeren, Brian Van Timmeren, Leigh Van Timmeren, Tyler Crowder, Ashlee Crowder and Carter Van Timmeren, his great grandson Isaiah , brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and May TerMolen, nieces, nephews and loving friend Joyce Vander Maas. Mr. Van Timmeren was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was employed in the residential and commercial construction industry in Grand Rapids for many years. A funeral service will be held at Monday at 11 AM at Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church, 2100 Chelsea N.E. with Rev. Rick Pinckney officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. and again on Monday at the church from 10 AM until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Forgotten Man Ministries or Faith Hospice would be appreciated. To read more of Jim’s life, share a memory or sign the online book please visit www.lifestorynet.com