Bernie Vander Zouwen

Bernie Vander Zouwen September 29, 1937 - September 28, 2025 Grand Rapids, MI

All who knew Bryan Vander Zouwen will certainly agree that he was a sweet man who enjoyed connecting with others and was always quick to make you a friend. He loved to joke around with others and make them feel at ease. While those close to him would acknowledge that he could be spicy at times, his love for others and loyalty was never in doubt. There was nothing Bernie treasured more than his family and friends. His solid work ethic and strong faith made him a role model for many, and he lived out his faith in word and deed. Deeply loved, Bernie’s legacy of faith, hard work and devotion to family will be forever remembered and honored by those who knew him best.

The late 1930s were very difficult years for those living in the United States. The burden of the Great Depression was still heavy on the shoulders of families all across the country. Nervous attention was focused overseas as tensions surrounding WWII were quickly reaching a boiling point. During this tumultuous time, however, there was much joy to be found in the household of John and Eda Vander Zouwen of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they celebrated the arrival of their second child, a son. Born on September 29, 1937, Bryan joined his older sister, Dorothy, in the Vander Zouwen family. Before long, he became a big brother to Jack, the baby of the siblings.

Bernie enjoyed a typical childhood of his generation, filled with many happy memories. The family enjoyed vacations to cottages, where his love for fishing began. Bernie attended local schools, including Oakleigh School and Grand Rapids Christian. He played cornet in the band throughout his school years. Bernie worked various jobs during high school, including at Dekorne Furniture and a nearby body shop.

At the age of 16, Bernie bought his first car, a light green Chevy Coupe, for $300. This was the car that he would drive to pick up the love of his life for their first date. As the story goes, Bernie was driving with some friends when they spotted two girls walking home. One of the girls was the girlfriend of Bernie’s friend, so they stopped to offer them a ride home. The second girl, Joyce DeWitt, caught Bernie’s eye, and he made sure to drop everyone else off first so that he had the chance to ask her out to a Youth for Christ event. She was happy to accept, and the rest was history. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Bernie and Joyce were married at 7th Reformed Church on June 27, 1957. The newlyweds enjoyed a romantic honeymoon to the Smokey Mountains before settling down in their first apartment together on Courtney Street, stepping into their future together as husband and wife.

Bernie’s career began with the Army Reserves in 1955. He served for six months of active duty in a medical-focused job. After coming home, Bernie considered continuing in the medical field and looked into jobs at Butterworth Hospital, but eventually decided to follow in his father's footsteps. So, he stayed with an Aunt while attending barber school in Flint, Michigan. Bernie then started working at his father’s barber shop. He was a hard worker and spent long hours there building his customer base, which didn’t take him long as his gift for making others feel at ease served him well in this profession.

Bernie was proud of his heritage of providing quality loving barber services for many years. Van’s Barber Styling shop was a fixture on the corner of Alpine & Richmond from 1938-2014! Bernie's father opened Van's in 1938. Bernie began working with him in 1957, they cut hair together for nineteen years until Bernie officially took over the business. Bernie was such an established part of NW Grand Rapids that he has his own seat at New Beginnings Restaurant which was across the street from his shop. It was very common for people to honk when driving by the shop just to say Hi! Bernie impacted the families he served a great deal, as many of his customers ran generations deep!

Of all the things Bernie loved in life, he valued his family above all else. Together, he and Joyce were overjoyed to welcome their four beloved children, Bryan, Joni, Dan, and Amy, into the world. Bernie’s love for his kids was seen through his setting an example for them through his devotion to his faith, hard work ethic and his kind heart. He was also a wise man and modeled humility at times, such as when he and Joyce may not have seen eye to eye, he was able to see the big picture and not let his pride get in the way. The Vander Zouwen family made their home on Webster Street in Grand Rapids. Mondays were Bernie’s day off, so he would take the family to Silver Lake for the day and Bernie, Bryan, Joni and Dan would water ski. Later after the older siblings were grown, there were trips out West, to Canada and Spring Break trips to Florida.

Bernie's love and commitment to Jesus has always been very evident. He and Joyce where very involved in their local church. Over the years Bernie served as both a deacon and elder, he would attended Bible Studies and Small groups. Bernie enjoyed singing in the choir, and Joyce would play the organ. Bernie and Joyce began their married life at Seventh Reformed Church where Joyce played the organ, they moved their family to Remembrance Reformed in 1973, then eventually began to worship at First Evangelical Covenant Church. As the kids got older and began lives of their own, Bernie and Joyce would often travel to visit them. He was thrilled to become a grandfather and even a great-grandfather, and he doted on his grandkids at every opportunity. Bernie and Joyce enjoyed a Route 66 trip, just the two of them, and also treated their family with an amazing vacation to Disney World. They loved making local trips to Traverse City, Mackinac Island, and many breathtaking locations up in northern Michigan. Never known to sit still for long, Bernie had many hobbies that filled his free time. He stayed active as a member of a bowling league and would play a round of golf when he could. Bernie’s speedboat and sailboat were among his most prized possessions. He loved sports of all kinds and was an avid fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers. Bernie’s sons and sons-in-law gifted him the opportunity to watch a PGA event at the Highlands, a memory he always treasured.

As friends and family gather to reflect on the life of Bryan Vander Zouwen, it is easy to celebrate such a sweet kind hearted man who was quick to bring a smile to others. He was a shining example of faith, hard work and kindness. A dedicated husband of 60 years, father to his wonderful children, and grandfather and great grandfather of 18. Bernie always made sure to hold his loved ones close. Although Bernie is already so greatly missed, he leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Bryan (Bernie) Vander Zouwen, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 28, 2025, one day short of his 88th birthday. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Vander Zouwen; his son, Dan Vander Zouwen; his parents, John and Eda Vander Zouwen and his sister, Dorothy Van Dyke. Bernie is survived by his children, Bryan II & Mimi Vander Zouwen, Joni & John DeNeef, Amy & Roland Hart; grandchildren Heidi Vander Zouwen, Major Melodie (Major Daniel) Anderson, Stephanie Vander Zouwen (Nick Weiner), Bryan III Vander Zouwen, Evianna Vander Zouwen, Becky (CJ) Murphy, Kelly (Jake Naessens) DeNeef, Niki (Jeff) Dyke and Second Lieutenant Kyle (Martha Klienbrook) DeNeef, and Josh, Drew and Eliana Hart. Bernie also leaves behind, his great grandchildren, Nora, Naomi and Oliver Murphy, Caroline Dyke, Ryan and Logan Hough; his brother and sister-in-law, Jack (Barbara) Vander Zouwen, and his brother-in-law Marvin (Barb) VanDyke. The service to remember and celebrate Bernie's life will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:00AM at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd NW. Friends are invited to visit with his family on Sunday from 3 – 5 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW and on Monday at the church from 10:00 AM until the start of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions are suggested to Faith Hospice. We would also like to recognize the many friends and staff at Edison Manner as well as the staff at the Royal Atrium in Zeeland for their friendship and care during Bernie's final years. To read more about Bernie's life, to share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.