Eric TenHoor

Described as kind, caring, and reliable, Eric TenHoor was blessed with the gift to love - a gift he willingly shared with others each and every day. He had an infectious laugh and always gave the best hugs. Eric was blessed to find his soul mate with whom he had plans for a bright future. Eric was a problem solver who genuinely did what he could to help his friends and loved ones overcome their struggles. A fun-loving uncle, he was really just a big kid himself and someone who never outgrew his wonder for the world around him. Eric’s family would have loved more time with him here, but they find comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus.

Eric was Richard and Sue’s miracle baby born on August 30, 1990 after struggles with infertility and a difficult pregnancy. Two years later, Eric Richard was joined by his sister, Rachel. He was raised in West Michigan, although they moved around a bit living in Rockford for a time and later in Fremont, Rockford, and finally in Forest Hills. From his earliest years Eric was a bustle of activity. He was quiet at times and loved reading and checking out numerous library books at one time at times frustrating his parents with overdue fees. He also was addicted to Playmobil and Legos.

Eric and his sister loved playing together with Rachel’s pink doll house often having plastic army guys perched on the roof or with a Playmobil fire truck out front. He loved summer which brought sailing with his family on Muskegon Lake, days on the beaches of Lake Michigan, and a roaring campfire. His favorite campfire was the annual burning of homework in the fire pit in the family’s backyard. Eric was a student at local schools and graduated from Forest Hills Eastern where he won the Hawk Award. He and Liz were also selected together for the homecoming court. He loved history and was fascinated by military equipment. He had the ability to identify military planes flying overhead. Eric also loved video games, particularly those that require thinking and strategy. He enjoyed Frank Miller comic books, the writing of John Ringo, and watching scary movies.

While in high school, Eric met the young girl who captured his heart, Elizabeth Stolk. Things were never the same. They were an example of opposites who attract as she is very much the free spirit while Eric was quiet. Liz challenged Eric in a new way, and she gave him another view of life. She introduced him to rock music and deer hunting. Fortunately for the deer, however, Eric was rarely quiet in the deer stand and scared the deer away. Because of Liz, Eric and his two left feet went to the high school dances. They both joined the school theatre productions so that they could spend more time together after school and officially began dating on October 29, 2006. They went to a movie that first fateful night, and they were nearly inseparable ever since. Deeply in love, Eric and Liz were engaged on May 20, 2009, in front of the theater where they had their first date. They exchanged their vows on October 6, 2012, at Mayfair Christian Reformed Church and settled into a life together in a home on Belknap NE.

With plans for a bright future, Eric worked hard in everything he did. After high school he went to college for a few years with plans of becoming a history teacher initially, but later changed his major to supply chain management. Eric spent the last two years working at Spectrum Health in material handling. He loved his work there as well as the people he worked with. The list of things that made Eric such an extraordinary person is extensive. He was reliable, described as a rock, and he never drew attention to himself but could be counted on to treat everyone in a kind way. Eric was always one to root for the underdog and enjoyed quoting Edmund Burke, an English statesman, who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." He was a wonderful uncle who was gentle and great with kids. Together, he and Liz had a love for animals and became proud parents to Cheshire the cat, and the puglets, Brutis and Dahlia. They were truly his babies, as he dressed them in sweaters, snuggled with them and took them on outings to the grocery store and drive-thru.

Having never really outgrown the Lego stage, Eric loved playing Legos with his nephews and nieces more recently. He had a great sense of humor, although he could never tell a joke correctly, and his laugh was impossible to miss. A beloved son, devoted husband, fun-loving uncle, and follower of Jesus, Eric TenHoor was a gift given to the world around him. He was a peacemaker who didn’t judge others and had a heart for those in need. Eric was happiest when surrounded by his loved ones, his devotion to his family unmatched. Despite his family’s great love for him and his love for them, Eric was overcome by depression and the impulsivity of ADD and took his own life. But in our anguish, we are choosing to remember love.

Eric TenHoor went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly Tuesday May 14th at the age of 22. Though telling jokes was not his forte, Eric was the type of man that could make you laugh. You couldn't help yourself from laughing with him because he so often dared to laugh at himself. Eric was an amazing husband, friend, son, brother, grandson, uncle, and pug daddy. Eric would help out and befriend anyone especially if they offered him food. He leaves behind his wife Liz Stolk/TenHoor; parents Richard TenHoor and Sue Toman, Mike and Denise Stolk; along with his siblings Rachel TenHoor, Alan & Jennifer Brunges, Garrett & Sarah Cooke; nephews and nieces Ethan, MacKenzie, Parker and Avery Brungers, Landon and Conrad Cooke; grandparents Bill and Gerrie Toman, Betty and Duane Pennington, Peggy Stolk; aunts and uncles Stuart TenHoor, Bill (Karen Trais) TenHoor, Joan (Bill Skea) VerMaire, Diane (Gerald) Schulz, Paul (Barbara)Toman, Arlona (Garry) Kolb, Jim Toman, Marc and Linda Stolk, Lynne Stolk, Janice and Jim Herren, Kim and Robert Preston, Gerry and Michelle Erb; along with several cousins, special friends and his furry children Dahlia, Brutis and Cheshire. Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents Marinus Stolk, and Jim and Ione TenHoor. A service to remember and celebrate Eric's life will be held on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11 AM at Third Reformed Church, 2060 Michigan Street NE. Friends may visit with his family on Sunday, from 3-7 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. For those who wish, memorial contributions to C-Snip (a non-profit Spade Neuter Clinic) are appreciated. To read more about Eric's life, to share a favorite memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.