Willard J. Berkenpas Sr.

On Saturday, September 10, 2022, Willard Berkenpas of Byron Center went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 90. Eph. 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you are saved, through faith and not from yourselves. It is a gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast." He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Berkenpas, and infant son, Charles Berkenpas. He is survived by his children Pat (Rob) Dykhouse, Laura (Steve) Meyering, Bill (Anola) Berkenpas, Marci (Pete) Woodfield; grandchildren Kimberly (Alvin) Essenburg, Holly (Mike) Gort, Steve (Cathy) Meyering, Joshua (Kara) Meyering, Amy (Nate) Pyle, John (Lynnelle) Berkenpas, Deb (Patrick) Roersma, Lisa (Brian) Hyma, Matthew Berkenpas, Ryan Dykhouse, Alex Woodfield, Ian Woodfield; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 13 foster children; three exchange students; sisters Jean (Pete) Visser and Gladys (Alan) Vanniman; sisters-in-law Cornelia DenHollander and Ann Berkenpas; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Railside Assisted Living Center and Faith Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

Visitation will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Cook Funeral Home in Byron Center (2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan). Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Second Christian Reformed Church of Byron Center (7588 Byron Center Ave. SW), with visitation from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Pastor Paul Hoekstra will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rehoboth Christian School, Potter’s House, or the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.