Neal Roger Rylaarsdam

He was born on D-Day, June 6, 1944, to Arie and Gertie (VanderPol) Rylaarsdam in Sumas, Washington, the second of five children.

On New Year’s Day 1965 he married his life partner of 55 years, Glenda J. Henken; together they had three children and nine grandchildren: Jillene B. and Ronald J. Santoro (Ryan, Kendra, and Levi) of Nashua, New Hampshire; Jeffrey N. and Michelle (Haan) Rylaarsdam (Jordan, Nathan, and Paige) of Hudsonville, Michigan; Jodi N. and Michael Rheinheimer (Abram, April, and Andersen) of Cedar Park, Texas.

Rev. Rylaarsdam is also survived by his siblings Hilda and Dale Clark of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Arthur and Sheri (Schreur) Rylaarsdam of Mount Vernon, Washington; Merwin and Eloise (Zevenbergen) Rylaarsdam of Colleyville, Texas; and Sharlean Andis of Everett, Washington; his brother-and sisters-in-law Edwin and Freda (Evans) Henken; Elaine (Henken) Torrenga-Gibbs; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A graduate of Calvin College (A.B.) and Calvin Theological Seminary (B.D.;M.Div.), Rev. Rylaarsdam was ordained in Whitinsville, Massachusetts on October 11, 1972 in the Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church, after which he served Christian Reformed Churches in Winfield (Illinois), Quincy (Washington), and Bauer and Lexington Green (in Hudsonville and Portage, Michigan respectively). For the last 14 years of his ministry, Rev. Rylaarsdam served 12 congregations in Michigan, Illinois, New Jersey, and Colorado as a Specialized Transitional Pastor. An avid genealogist, in his retirement Rev. Rylaarsdam assisted many people in locating their birthparents and families.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Special Needs Week, Christian Reformed Conference Grounds, 12253 Lakeshore Drive Grand Haven, MI 49417.

A celebration of Neal’s life will be held later this summer.