Lawrence “Larry” Veldheer, age 94 of Zeeland, passed away Monday, February 21, 2022. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Wilma; daughter, Laura Veldheer of Rockford; son, David and Pam Veldheer of Holland, daughter, Diane Veldheer of Zeeland and Marjorie and Willard Taylor of Zeeland. Grandchildren, Kristen and Rob Grassmid, Kyle and Brandie Veldheer, Justine and Dylan VanTubergen, Savannah Taylor, and Gabe Taylor. Great-grandchildren, Chase, Bowen, Breah and Ava Grassmid, and Brett and Whyatt Veldheer. Siblings, Vernin Veldheer, Lillian Veldheer, Ruth Marlink, Esther Veldheer, Glenn and Marcia Veldheer, June and Jack Millard, Kay VanderKooi, Leona Topp. Multiple nieces and nephews.
Larry was born November 3, 1927, the 3rd child of 11, to George and Jeanette Veldheer. The family lived on a farm in North Holland. He attended North Holland School through the 10th grade and graduated from Holland High School. He was a member of North Holland Reformed Church.
In 1946 Larry joined the U.S. Army. He served as a Military Policeman in the White Sands Proving Ground and in the Army of Occupation in Seoul, Korea. Upon returning from service, he volunteered as a fireman for Holland Township. He met and married Wilma Topp in April of 1952. Six weeks later, he was hired by the Zeeland Police Department as a patrolman. In 1954, Al Bos became Chief of Police and provided Larry the opportunity to further his education in police courses at Michigan State and Grand Valley. Chief Bos resigned in 1959 and Larry was appointed as the Zeeland Chief of Police, a position he held for 32 years. He retired in 1992 after 40 years of service in law enforcement.
Larry was a member of the West Michigan Law Enforcement Association. He received many awards as an expert marksman with the pistol shooting committees of West Michigan. During these years Larry had many career opportunities and built relationships with multiple law enforcement agencies. A highlight of his career was when he received an appointment to the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, where he earned college credits from the University of Virginia. He was an active member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, President of the Michigan IACP, President of the Chapter of Michigan FBI Academy, and was also a member of the Zeeland American Legion Honor Guard.
Larry was an active member of Third Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, where he served as an Elder, among many other roles. Giving of his time to others was a passion of his, volunteering for the Fire Department, the Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, being a Boy Scout Leader, blood donor since the 1950s (with almost 30 gallons of blood donated to the American Red Cross), volunteering with Christian Reformed Disaster Relief from 1992 until 2002.
Larry loved road trips and especially camping and sailing. After retirement, he and Wilma volunteered as Camp Hosts for 19 years at Silver Lake State Park. His life was full and more than anything, he loved his God, his family, and serving others. “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matt. 25:23.
A funeral service to celebrate Larry’s life will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Third Christian Reformed Church, 10 W Central Ave, Zeeland. The service will be live-streamed from Third Christian Reformed Church’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/
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