Published: February 08, 2010 10:13 am      

Rev. Henry Vermeer

Henry J. Vermeer, a Servant of God, was taken to be with his Lord on Sunday morning, January 24, 2010, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, Iowa. The legacy of this faithful man of the covenant began on March 1, 1913 in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was the eldest of three children born to Jacob and Anna (Huitink) Vermeer. His formal education began in various schools in Sioux County, Iowa continuing at Northwestern Junior College in Orange City, Iowa, and Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Answering God’s call into Christian ministry, he began his training at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. On August 10, 1939, he married Alberta Kooiker, daughter of Lubert and Pearl (DeWild) Kooiker. To this union, two children, Lorna Joy and James Henry were born. Henry and Alberta faithfully served in Falmouth and Moddersville, Michigan; Central Park Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan; First Reformed Church of Roseland, Chicago, Illinois; Hope Reformed Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Hope Reformed, Grand Rapids, Michigan; First Reformed Church, Denver, Colorado; First Reformed Church, Pella, Iowa; and First Reformed Church, Hospers, Iowa, where he retired in 1977. Henry was honored as “Minister Emeritus” from First Reformed Church in Pella. Henry and Alberta made additional places of residence in Hull, Iowa, Bradenton, Florida, and Vriendschap Village in Pella following their retirement. While in active pastorate, Rev. Vermeer served his denomination, the Reformed Church of America, and the kingdom of God on the following boards and agencies: RCA Board of Domestic Missions, Editorial Council of the Church Herald, Executive Council of the World Home Bible League, General Synod Executive Committee, Central College Board of Trustees, and Northwestern College Board of Trustees. Upon retirement he and his wife, Alberta, also served as senior pastor for retired ministers, spouses and missionaries in the Midwest region of the denomination.

His love for Christ reflected Henry’s desire to preach and teach God’s Word and manifest his pastoral heart and love for people world wide.

Those left to cherish his memory are his two children and their families: daughter, Lorna and Mike Schrier of Montgomery, Alabama, and their two children: Marc and Nancy Schrier and their daughter, Macie, of Carrollton, Georgia, Marylynn and Bruce Williams and their daughter, Holland Joy, of Prattville, Alabama; son, Jim and Pam (Menninga) Vermeer of Pella and their three children: Nicole and Brad Chiafos and their two children, Lily and Cooper, of Waukee, Iowa, Molly and Dustin Hugen of Chicago, Illinois, and Jonathan Vermeer of Pella; along with his sister-in-law, Johanna (Harvey) Vermeer, Sioux Center, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews. Henry also leaves a loving friend and companion, Valda Vander Waal, of Pella.

Henry was preceded in death by Alberta, his wife of 65 years, on October 10, 2004, his parents, Jacob and Anna Vermeer, his parents-in-law, Lubert and Pearl Kooiker, his sister, Dorothy, and her husband George Addison, his brother, Harvey Vermeer, a brother-in-law, Arthur Kooiker and his wife, Billie, and a brother-in-law, Dr. Anthony Kooiker.

Funeral Services were held at the First Reformed Church in Pella on Thursday, January 28, 2010 and at the First Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa on Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Memorials may be designated for the Rev. Henry J. and Alberta Vermeer Scholarship Fund at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, the Hospice of Pella Comfort House or KCWN Christian radio ministry at Pella, Iowa.

Arrangements were handled by the Van Dyk -Duven Funeral Home.