View Photo Tribute Allegan, MI, went to be with his Lord, Thursday, February 24, 2005 at his home. Mr. Vander Veen was born September 22, 1927 in New Era, MI, the son of Cornelius and Jennie (Heykoop) Vander Veen. He was a 1945 graduate of Shelby High School. He graduated from Muskegon Junior College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, where he was presented the Worsham Key for academic excellence. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage to Boncille (Stovall) April 4, 1952, who survives. They came to Allegan in 1952 and Joe worked at the Gorden Funeral Residence, purchasing the business in 1964. He retired from Gorden's in 1992. He was a member of Christ Community Church and was previously a member of the First Reformed Church of Allegan, having served as elder and deacon. He had also been a life member of the Allegan V.F.W. Post #3667, a member of the Rotary Club, the Jaycee's, the Elks, and had served on the Allegan Public School Board from 1971-1975, the last year as president. Surviving along with his wife, are 2 children and their spouses, Debra and Martin Reed and Steven and Mary Vander Veen, all of Allegan; 6 grandchildren, Jay Gibson, Megan, Erin, and Nate Vander Veen and Joey and Jessica Reed; 2 brothers and their wives, Richard and Elinor Vander Veen of Tennessee and Henry and Barb Vander Veen of Jenison; 1 sister, Jeanette Young of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law, Paula and Tom Sullenger of Arizona; several nieces and nephews. Friends may meet with the family from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, where funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. Pastors G. Patrick White and John Zwyghuizen officiating. Interment Oakwood Cemetery, Allegan. Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice or Christ Community Church Food Pantry.