Visitation: Tuesday, September 2, from 9:30 - 11 AM at Covenant CRC
Service: 11 AM, Tuesday, September 2, at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 7171 Willard Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, 49548
Cemetery: Blain Cemetery
Memorials: Covenant CRC  https://www.crcna.org/  or Byron Community Ministries  8250 Byron Creek Dr SW Byron Center, MI 49315  https://byronministries.org/

Live Streamed through Covenant CRC YouTube channel @CovenantChurchGrandRapids

Joan Van Der Weele (Van Haveren) at the age of 90 was called to her​ heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior on August 28, 2025. Joan​ was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin to Andrew and Ida ​ (Miesfeld) on May 1,​ 1935. She graduated from Sheboygan Christian School, Sheboygan North​ High School in 1953, and Deaconess School of Nursing in Milwaukee,​ Wisconsin. There she earned a R.N. degree in 1957. She worked 40 years​ as a nurse at Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, Sheboygan Retirement Home,​ and then finished her nursing career at Grube Pharmacy/Home Health​ Care. Joan married Donald Van Der Weele on May 10, 1958, at First​ Christian Reformed Church in Sheboygan. They celebrated 61 years of​ marriage before Don passed away in 2019. Joan and Don had moved to​ Cutlerville, Michigan in 2001 to be by their children and grandchildren.​ Joan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and recently​ great-grandmother. They were her pride and joy, and she will be missed​ very much by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family​ and friends. She supported her family by attending numerous sporting​ events (rain or shine), programs, dances, fundraisers, grandparent days,​babysitting, and various other activities. Joan and Don liked to travel​ together to places like Florida for several weeks at a time, sightseeing in​ Michigan, and visit other states sometimes with family or friends. Joan​ loved to read, do word searches, knit, and bake. She was known for her​ fruit breads, chocolate chip cookies, and sending out cards. Joan and Don​ were faithful and longtime members at First Christian Reformed Church in​ Sheboygan and Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids,​ Michigan. Joan attended Bible studies, was on many committees, served​ Sunday coffee, cared about people’s needs by providing meals, greeting​ cards, phone calls, visits, and delivered senior meals through Byron​ Ministries. Joan’s faith in God, acts of kindness, and care for others​ caused her to touch​ many lives throughout her 90 years on earth. She​ loved God, her family, and many friends. Joan is survived by her children,​ Brian and (Lois) Vander Weele, Keith and (Lori) Vander Weele, Cheryl and​ (Dave) Spoelma; grandchildren, Kyle and (Leanne) Spoelma, Tyler and​ (Rachael) Spoelma, Elise and (Nick) Memmelaar, Elena VanderWeele,​ Karisa VanderWeele, Eden VanderWeele, and Kayla VanderWeele; great​grandchildren, Hadley Spoelma, Emery Memmelaar, Evelyn Spoelma,​ Logan Memmelaar, Seth Spoelma; brother-in-law, Ray and Phyllis​ (Palazzolo) Vander Weele, and other treasured friends and family​ members. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Van​ Der Weele; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other family and friends. Joan​and the family were very thankful for the care she had at Samaritas Senior​ Living/StoryPoint Grand Rapids East, ComForCare, Corso Care, Corewell​ Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and Corewell Health Hospice.​ The funeral service will be held at Covenant Christian Reformed Church,​ 7171 Willard Ave, SE, on Tuesday, September 2, at 11 AM with her son-in-law Rev. David Spoelma officiating.​ Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment will be in Blain​ Cemetery. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in lieu of​ flowers can do so to Covenant Christian Reformed Church or Byron​ Community Ministries.​ 

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on​ wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be​ faint.” Isaiah 40:31