28 Mar Eulogy of Jay Van Den Berg
It is with heavy hearts we announce Jay Van Den Berg, Father and Father-in-Law of Kellie and Brian Eagle, has passed away.
Jay Van Den Berg, 78, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018. He was born in Byron City, MI on April 26, 1939 to John and Henrietta (VanPutten) Van Den Berg. On October 21, 1961, Jay married Joanne Zeilke and together the couple raised three children, Kimberly Van Den Berg, Kellie Eagle and Karmen (Layne) Brower.
Jay, a native of Grand Rapids, MI, earned a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University. He began his profession as a teacher at Lakeshore and South Haven High Schools, before accepting a position as an industrial engineer for Whirlpool Corp. at the St. Joseph Division. In 1974, Jay earned a promotion as the director of industrial relations for Whirlpool. In 2000, Jay retired from Whirlpool as senior vice president of community relations after 30 years.
In his free time, Jay enjoyed the beach, boating and spending time with his cat, Winston.
He is survived by his loving wife, Joanne; children: Kimberly Van Den Berg, Kellie and Brian Eagle, Karmen (Layne) Bower and grandchildren: Lauren, Jay and Benjamin Brower and Zachary Eagle; brothers: John (Jan) Van Den Berg Jr., Maurice (Helen) Van Den Berg, Jerry (Marty) Van Den Berg and mother-in-law, Lucille McFarlane.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, MI with Rev. Dr. Charles Geurreno officiating, followed by the Burial Service at Riverview Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services in St. Joseph, MI.
In lieu of flowers, we ask memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
Jay’s memory book may be signed at www.starks-menchinger.com.
