Garry and I lost a good friend today. Pastor Stan Vanderklay was one of the Pastors at our church, Pleasant Street Christian Reformed Church and was the interim Senior Pastor during the Church’s long search for a permanent new Pastor. Above all, Stan was our friend.
Yesterday we were swapping emails and puns with Stan. He had a great sense of humor and was particularly fond of puns. Today, without warning, while having lunch with a friend, he passed out and died.
A friend and a companion, he presided over our last vow renewal. We will miss him very much. We already do.
SERENDIPITY - SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 
I am sending you prayers and hugs….also prayers for his family….loosing those we love and care about is one of the hardest parts of life. So sudden and I am sure it was a shock. He sounded like a great friend and caring pastor. Love, Marcy
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He was. And ironically, the funeral is today. The forcast calls for a little wet snow. We must have half a foot of 40% chance of precipitation out there. Apparently no one told the weather that we need to go somewhere today … and right now, I don’t see how we can even get out of the driveway, much less into town. I really had hoped that the weather wouldn’t do this today, just today. We may wind up holding Stan in our hearts due to weather. He would be laughing.
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I am not fond of driving on ice or when the snow gets super slushy….I don’t mind driving in snow but once the grader goes over our roads out here it becomes a solid ice rink. I used to drive in it as when I was younger you are not as wise…now I just sigh and stay home where it is warm, safe and peaceful. I have had to miss funerals too…part of me does not mind that as I like to remember them alive and well….but I know it is supportive to go for the family and in respect for the person we knew. I know he would understand if you stay home…there are so many ways to remember him and celebrate his life. On my parents first wedding anniversary, after they were gone, I needed to think of something that signified my love for them so I got a bouquet of balloons and picked out a special one for each of them and went to the cemetery to their grave…talked to them and to God, let my tears flow and then I let the balloons go and watched as they drifted upwards to heaven…big hug and lots of prayerful thoughts to you for peace in your heart if you stay home…
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Well, it’s looking like a stay home and be safe kind of day. Snow shows no inclination to let up and I can’t imagine Stan would think it a good idea to put our lives at risk to honor his death. I’m not a big funeral goer normally, but this is very local and personal, so if it weren’t snowing so hard, I would go … but the weather has conspired. It still says “accumulations up to 1″, 40% chance of …” and I’m impressed at what a deep inch we have out there! I hate ice. Scares the pants off me. And we don’t have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. We sure could use one, but no money.
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In a young year, I’ve already lost too many friends and relatives. Stan’s passing leaves me stunned.
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Me too.
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It is so difficult to lose a friend, especially so suddenly, and my heart goes out to you both.
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It was particulary hard because it was without warning. We had been swapping puns by email the day before.
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so very sorry, he sounded like a great man. I will keep you and his family in my prayers! Lots of love, Emily
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Thank you. Stan will be easy to remember, and we will always miss him. You don’t replace friends like him.
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