Roland Claerbaut

Roland Claerbaut, 91, of N1485 Highway 32, Oostburg, went home to his Lord on Saturday night, January 28, 2006, at his residence. Roland was born on June 9, 1914, in the Town of Holland, the son of the late Peter and Jennie (DePagter) Claerbaut. He attended Lakeview School. On December 18, 1935, he married the former Marion Heinen. This past December they observed their 70th wedding anniversary. Roland, together with his wife and family, owned and operated a dairy farm in the Town of Holland for many years. Roland was a member of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove where he served as an elder. Roland loved to sing. Over the years he sang for many funerals, with the choir, and numerous duets and quartets. He enjoyed his work as a farmer and spending time with his family. Roland is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marion; one daughter, Marjorie (Ronald) Bruggink of Gibbsville; one son, Robert (Audrey) Claerbaut of Oostburg; 13 grandchildren, Kevin (Lauri) Claerbaut, Curtis (Val) Claerbaut, Karen Claerbaut, Bill (Pam) Bruggink, Bradley (Lisette) Bruggink, Brian (Robin) Bruggink, Brenda (Tim) Griepentrog, Bruce Bruggink, Cindy (Kevin) Walvoord, Julie (Randall) Klynsma, Bruce (Tamara) Ten Haken, Paul Ten Haken, and Jennifer (Patrick) Tienor; 28 great grandchildren; and four sisters-in-law, June Claerbaut and Mildred Hoitink, both of Pine Haven Christian Home, Evelyn (Allan) DeBlaey of Random Lake, and Margaret Heinen of Oostburg. Roland was preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law, Muriel and LaMont Ten Haken; a brother, Melvin Claerbaut, and several sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law. The funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at the Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove with the Rev. Ronald Beabout officiating. A family service will precede at 12:45 pm in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow at Oostburg Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 from 5-8 pm, and on Wednesday, at church, from noon until the time of service at 1 pm. Online condolences may be sent to wenig@wenigfuneralhome.com A memorial fund is being established in his memory for the Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church Music Department. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Hospice Advantage for the loving and devoted care that they provided for Roland and their family. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg is serving the family.