Vander Heide, Rev. Meine 1868-1925

VANDERHEIDE, HEYNEN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Source: Alton Democrat (5-8-1925)

Born: December 27, 1868
Died: 1925

OVER 1500 PEOPLE ATTENDED LAST RITES FOR BELOVED HOSPERS CHURCHMAN

A most beautiful funeral service was conducted at the Christian Reformed and First Reformed Churches on Thursday afternoon some fifteen ministers paying verbal tribute to the life of Reverend M. Vander Heide, that life which terminated so suddenly on last Saturday night. Never in the history of Hospers has the passing away of one of its citizens been more deeply felt as was evidenced on every hand by the sympathy shown. A pall as it were, was thrown over the entire community where on Sunday morning it was announced from the various pulpits that Reverend Vander Heide , pastor of the Christian Reformed Church of Hospers had died just a few minutes before midnight. His congregation had expected to partake of the communion elements with him, and expected him to break the bread and to repeat the familiar words of our Master, “Take, eat, this is My body.” But this same Master willed otherwise, and instead of the communion service, there was an empty pulpit draped in mourning which mutely spoke of the sudden loss the congregation had sustained.

Reverend Meine Vander Heide will be greatly missed not only by his own congregation, to whom he was a conscientious pastor, but all the organizations of the church in which he held responsible offices will keenly feel his going. As a citizen he was quiet, unassuming and peaceable and as husband and father he was exemplary.

At the time of his death, Reverend Vander Heide was in his 57th year having been born in 1868 on December 27 at Lutaen Overijsel, Netherlands. When a lad of 14 he came with his parents to America and located at Graafscap, Michigan where he obtained his education which was obtained with a six year course at Hope College and was supplemented with five years of intensive training in theology at Grand Rapids.

The first church he served after his ordination was at Platte, South Dakota where he remained for four years, his next congregation was at Sully, Iowa which he served for two years and in the spring of 1910 he came to the church at Hospers where he served continuously for the remaining 15 years of his life.

On August 21, in the year 1904 he was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Antonia Heynen of Sioux Center. To this happy union four children were born, who remain with their grief stricken mother to mourn his sudden departure. In the order of their ages they are: Henrietta, aged 18, a senior at Western Academy at Hull, Grada aged 15 who is a freshman here, and twin sons Anthony and Jacob, aged 9.

The services of the Manse were conducted by the Reverends D. Hollebeck of Sanborn and W. Meyer of Carnes. From the manse he was conducted by the members of his consistory to the church where impressive funeral services were conducted by Reverends Ipma of Sioux Center, Vander Hook who resides at Hull, Van Wyk of Orange City. George Douwstrn Reformed minister now at Hull but formerly here and Vander Aark of Edgerton, Minnesota.

At. The First Reformed Church, an overflow meeting was held simultaneously and this church was also packed to its capacity. The services here were conducted by Reverends Everds of the Presbyterian Church of Hospers. The ministers assisting were Reverends Ter Louw Reformed pastor at Newkirk, W.P. Meyers of Carnes, Bratt of Platte, South Dakota and Terpsma from Ireton. Those attending here marched in a body to the Christian Reformed Church where the body lay in state. It is estimated that nearly 1500 people filed past his casket for a last view of his countenance. At the cemetery at Sioux Center an opportunity was also given to view the remains. The services at the grave were conducted by the Reverends Ipma of Sioux Center, S. Lubbers of the Reformed Church of Sioux Center, A. Gerlings of Rock Valley and N. Schans of Sioux Center.

It was not flowers that showed the esteem in which Reverend Vander Heide was held, but pure heartfelt grief of the multitude that gathered at the churches and that followed his bier to the grave. May the God whom he has served so faithfully in the course of his ministry comfort the loved ones that are left to mourn.

Besides his immediate family Reverend Heide is survived by two brothers and three sisters. They are Ralph Vander Heide of Central Lake, Michigan, Reverend James Vander Heide of Fenton, Michigan, Mrs. H. Wassennar, also from Central Lake, Mrs. J. Meckhoff of Everett, Washington and Mrs. B. De Groot of Charles Voix, Michigan.