Visitation
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
4:00 PM to 7:30 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Vigil Service at 7:00 pm.
Memorial Mass
Thursday, October 24, 2024
10:30 AM EDT
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
1449 Wilcox Park Dr SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 459-4662
Map
Web Site
Contributions
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.
God's Kitchen
303 S. Division
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-4110
Web Site
Heartland Hospice
695 Kenmoor Ave SE B
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 956-0636
Web Site
Flowers
Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.
Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site
Life Story / Obituary
Steve Vander Ploeg was a genuine person through and through. A devoted father, grandfather, and leader to many, he savored the time he spent with his growing family over the years. Steve lived his life to the fullest by working hard to provide for the family he loved.
In 1948 Steve was born to Louis and Glenna (Graham) Vander Ploeg on February 23rd in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The youngest of three sons, his childhood was filled with many memorable moments. Sadly, by the tender age of four years old, Steve’s parents had parted ways.
Growing up on the southeast side of the city, Steve and his older brothers found their fair share of mischief. They bonded over playing darts while one held up the target, daring each other to jump off a train bridge onto a moving coal train, rolling large rocks down Highland Park Hill, and shooting off modified M-80s. After attending Congress Elementary, Steve went on to Central High School. He was advanced in his skills, especially math, but didn’t apply himself. Instead, he focused his energy on his high school sweetheart, Mary Wheeler. She helped him with his studies and her parents modeled for him a stable family environment. After five years of dating, they joined in marriage at St. Thomas the Apostle on June 21, 1969. The newlyweds honeymooned at Curley’s Motel in beautiful Paradise, Michigan before settling back home to start their family of seven wonderful children; Jon, Amy, Melissa, Mark, Jeff, Luke, and Matt.
A strong provider, Steve worked in the tool and die industry. They moved around Grand Rapids before landing at Garfield Ave NW. As a family, they worshipped at a local Catholic Church and participated in the Charismatic Movement in the mid-70s through the 80s. His kids enjoyed his knack for storytelling and was know to hold morning prayer time before the kids were sent off to school under a blanket placed over the register to "building our heat up". Even if he was tired from working the third shift, he never missed an opportunity to participate in his family's daily life. Every year, they vacationed for a week at Long Lake Resort. Steve saved up his time off and some extra earnings to make it a memorable time for his large family. Many of the family’s best memories were during those moments away from home.
A self-taught handyman, he learned to rewire their family home on Garfield from a book in the 1980's and again rewired their new family home in the 2000's. Once he started something, he was always one to finish it. He never walked away from a project or a challenge. Steve’s basement turned into a small repair shop over the years where he stored several spare parts and every tool to use on projects around the house and yard. Steve was known for his attention to detail and loved everything to be plumb and straight whether it were photos on the wall or the lines along his sidewalks after mowing or edging. His yard looked like a park. Steve took pride in maintaining the family home and property.
May his wisdom and sense of humor live on the lives of his loved ones and may they always feel his presence whenever they are gathered together.
Steve Curtis Vander Ploeg, returned to the arms of Jesus on October 18, 2024, after a lingering illness. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark; brother, Tom; and sisters-in-law; Doris and Mary VanderPloeg.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 56 years. Steve is also survived by six children he loved and their families: Fr. Jon Vander Ploeg; Amy Demers, (Frank), Grace and Jacob; Melissa Fischer, (Brad), Krystal, Leah, Josh (Leah Sarnicola), Ty, Hilary (Dustin VanKrimpen), Leo and Max; Jeff Vander Ploeg, (Lisa), Landon, Chloe, Olivia, and Ashton; Luke Vander Ploeg; Matt Vander Ploeg, (Katie) and Mila. Also surviving are his brother, Michael Vander Ploeg; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Stan Teliczan, Jim and Cindy Wheeler, and several special nieces and nephews.
Steve meticulously planned his career, completing a tool and die apprenticeship at Jarecki and working at Riviera Tool and Die, and Walker Tool and Die, before retiring from Steelcase. Active in his Catholic Church community, he was pivotal in establishing a young couples group working with engaged couples through Marriage Encounter and FOCUS assessments. Steve was an extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for over 40 years and was instrumental in the leadership of the Charismatic Movement and later in Servants of the Lamb Community.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Rev. Jon Vander Ploeg presiding. Friends may visit the family on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 4:00 -7:30 pm. 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE.
The family sincerely thanks the Heartland Hospice staff for their many visits and unwavering kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to God’s Kitchen or Heartland Hospice.