Grandia, Earl L.

GRANDIA, BOLAND, VAN WAARDHUIZEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:10:29

Funeral services for Earl L. Grandia, 87, of Pella were held October 23 at the First Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Kenneth A. Dykstra officiated and The Grandchildren were participants. Music was provided by Mrs. Barb Nunnikhoven, organist and Ruth Ann Kuhn, soloist. A family prayer service was held with the Rev. James P. Ebbers, presiding and Rev. Henry J. Vermeer, participant.

Committal service was at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, with Military honors by the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella. Casket bearers were James K. Marvel, Jacob G. Marvel, Jana E. Marvel, Erin L. Vander Leest Pyle, Richard L. Vander Leest, Misha Marvel, Judson E. Marvel, and Christopher R. Vander Leest. Honorary casket bearer was Tom Pyle.

Earl Luther Grandia was born August 13, 1915 on the family farm near Leighton. He was the only son born to Jacob A. and Katie Boland Grandia, his sibling an older sister, Lois Elizabeth. Earl received his high school education at Pella Public High School and then enrolled at Central College in Pella. He graduated from Central College with the class of 1937 where his major course of study was mathematics and he was a member of the Accapella Choir.

On December 20, 1939 he was united in marriage with Angelene Van Waardhuizen by the Rev. Anthony Haverkamp at the parsonage of the First Reformed Church in Pella. In April of 1944 he was inducted into the U.S.

Army, serving with the 737th Railway Operating Battalion during World War II, and was discharged in April of 1946. Earl and Ange were then blessed with two daughters: Judith Cheryl, born on February 26, 1947 and Janice Beth, born on December 6, 1950. Earl was associated with the White Way Auto Company in Pella for 39 years. Earl was the accountant and retired as a part-owner in 1972. Earl was a member of the Pella Noon Kiwanis Club where he was the dedicated secretary for many years.

Earl was a member of the First Reformed Church in Pella. He made profession of his faith there, served on the Consistory for many years, and was a member of the Shepherd Ministry Team.

On Saturday afternoon, October 19, he passed away at the Inn Care at Pella Regional Health Center at the age of 87. He was a member of the Central Club who enjoyed sports and golfing. He was a member of the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Angelene; their two daughters and their husbands: Judith C., pastor of Rosemont Community Church, and James K. Marvel of Tucson, Ariz.; Janice B., elementary music teacher, and Richard L. Vander Leest of Russellville, Ark.; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents: his mother, Katie Boland Grandia who passed away in 1963 and his father Jacob A. Grandia in 1978; and his sister, Lois (Walter C.) Roppel who passed away in 2001.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the organ renovation fund of the First Reformed Church in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, October 31, 2002