Paul VanDerWeide

Paul Delano VanDerWeide, 74, of Grand Rapids passed away on May 15, 2019, after a long battle with dementia. He was born in Grand Rapids on October 20, 1944, the seventh child of Benjamin and Minnie VanDerWeide. A graduate of Lee High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1966. On December 29, 1967, he married Carol Ann Wedgwood. After a short stay in Midland, where he worked at Dow Chemical, he and Carol moved back to Grand Rapids, where he took a position with Hartger and Willard as Treasurer. He retired from the company after 25 years. Paul and Carol were blessed with two children, Nancy and David. Without a doubt, Paul’s favorite pastime was relaxing with his family at their Lake Michigan cottage. In retirement, Paul and Carol traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad, visiting Antarctica, Israel, Europe, and the Caribbean. Paul’s four granddaughters—Emma, Hannah, Meredith, and Laura—were the joy of his golden years. He loved spending time with them at the cottage and attending their school and church programs. He was also a long-time member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Paul is survived by his children, Nancy Richter and David (Monica) VanDerWeide; grandchildren, Emma and Hannah Richter and Meredith and Laura VanDerWeide; sister, Beatrice (David) Zylstra; brothers Benjamin (Patricia) and Richard (Judy) VanDerWeide; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Carol; sisters and brothers-in-law, Agnes (Joseph) Olexa, Elaine (Roland) Schipper, and Gloria (Casey) DeHollander; and brother-in-law Frank Grotenhuis.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, May 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 8605 Fulton Street East, Ada, MI, 49301, with the Rev. Jonathan Loerop officiating. The family requests that donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

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