Hannes “Mike” Meyers, Jr., age 89, of Holland, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, September 4, 2022. Hannes was born on December 11, 1932, in Norton Township (Norton Shores), Michigan to the late Hannes, Sr., and Anna (Baker) Meyers. He was the first of five children. Hannes and Marjorie (Rodabaugh) were married 64 years ago in Williamstown, Ohio. They made their home in Zeeland for 21 years until moving to Holland in 1980. They were blessed with three sons and have 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Hannes received a BA in political science and history from Calvin College and JD from the University of Michigan Law School. He joined the law firm of Galien and Roper in 1959. He incorporated Russ’ Restaurants, the former Prince Corporation (Johnson Controls), Evergreen Commons, and Freedom Village among his more notable private and non-profit clients. He served as city attorney for the cities of Zeeland, Hudsonville, Allegan, Plainwell, Otsego, and Ferrysburg as well as the townships of Olive and Blendon. After 34 years of practicing law, he served as a judge in Ottawa County 58th District Court from 1992-2002. After retirement, he served as a visiting judge in Ottawa, Kent, and Muskegon counties until 2016.
His professional affiliations included the Ottawa County Bar Association as past president, Michigan Bar Association, Michigan District Judges Association, and National Judicial College. He was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in 1985.
Hannes also volunteered his time in public service and with area non-profits. He served as a member of the Michigan State Transportation Commission from 1978-1992, including as chair, and was inducted into the Michigan Department of Transportation Hall of Honor in 1994 (and even has a rest area named after him on I-196). He also served for 19 years on the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council along with many intergovernmental committees improving public services to area communities. He also served on the Holland-Zeeland Community Foundation Board and P. Buckley Moss Foundation, each for 10 years. For 63 years, until his passing, he was a member, including past president, of the Zeeland Rotary Club. His life exemplified the motto “Service Above Self.” He was a member of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and in 1972 participated in a month-long mission trip traveling around the world. Hannes was a long-time member of Harderwyk Christian Reformed Church.
He had fond memories of spending summers at the family cottage on Lake Michigan and, later, living on Lake Macatawa. He loved to take family trips every summer, traveling with Marj all over the world and, after retirement, to Florida for a month each spring to visit friends and relatives. Hannes especially enjoyed taking a “Tiger Cruise” on the USS Carl Vincent aircraft carrier from Hawaii to San Diego with nephew Dan Meyers who served on the Navy ship. He also enjoyed flying and auto racing and went to the Indy 500 for 50 years straight with his law partners and colleagues. He was also an ardent University of Michigan football fan holding season tickets for 38 years. Go Blue!
Hannes will be greatly missed by his sons Hannes “Skip” Meyers, IV., Steven A. Meyers and Mark C. Meyers, daughters-in-law Barb (Skip) Meyers and Melissa (Mark) Meyers, grandchildren Hannes, V., Bethanie (Alden) Boven, Autumn (Tyler) Valicevic, Lauren Vonk, Kaylee (Aaron) DeBoer, Jillian (Sari) Rahal, Chelsea Meyers, Delaney Meyers, Kyla Meyers, and Sophia Meyers and great-grandchildren Hadley Boven, Harper Boven, Quinn Rahal, Ruth Gagnon. He is survived by brother Gerald L. (DeeAnne) Meyers, C. Edward “Butch” (Susan) Meyers and sister-in-law Alice Schoenbach and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his brother Klaas (Alice) Meyer, sister Marilyn A. Meyers and daughter-in-law Darlene K. (Skip) Meyers.
Funeral services will be at 11 am Monday (September 12) at Harderwyk Ministries, 1627 West Lakewood Blvd. Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 pm Sunday (September 11) at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to Harderwyk Ministries or Hospice of Holland.
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