Amy V. Haveman

Amy Virginia Haveman passed away August 25, 2026, in Zeeland, Michigan. She was born on August 29, 1935 in Chicago Illinois to Ernst Clyde Boyle and Eva Lorena (Griffin) Boyle. The family, including Amy and her two younger siblings, Eva and William (Billy), lived in the slums of Chicago, moving quite a few times. Her father, Ernst, worked with the Pere Marquette Railway Company (and later C&O) as a fireman and engineer. Amy was not allowed to attend Kindergarten because her baby brother, Billy, had a heart condition and was so weak that they were afraid she would bring germs home to him. At age six, Amy began first grade at Lewis Champlin Elementary School, on the south side of Chicago. Her second grade teacher, Rose Huston, was very influential in Amy’s life, providing needed love and encouragement. The family moved to Holland, Michigan when Amy was in second grade, where they first lived in the Hollander Hotel for a short time, near where the depot is today. Next they moved to 45 E. 12th St., a large Victorian house. They lived at this house for a short time also. This was during WWII, and the family would huddle around a small light during air raid blackouts. Next the family moved to the downstairs apartment at 220 S. 120th Ave., which had one sink, no bathtub, and no hot running water. The children began attending the Holland City Mission for Sunday School, where Amy and her two siblings each professed salvation. Amy was also in Blue Birds, which brought another very important person into her life, Julie Koenes. In addition, one of Amy’s elementary teachers, Betty Poppema, was also a tremendous influence, basically taking her into her home and providing valuable nurturing. Amy spend many hours at the Poppema home, even babysitting for them. When Amy was 15 years old, she met and began dating Leon Beyer. When she was 18, during her senior year at Holland High School, she moved out of her parents’ house, and after staying briefly at Lee’s family’s home, she got her own apartment on 17th Street in Holland. During high school, Amy already had more than enough credits for graduation, so she signed up for co-op and worked at McLellen’s Dime Store, working the candy counter, at Kresgie’s, Had’s Drive-In restaurant, and at the Snack Shack restaurant. Each of these jobs was on 8th Street, and she walked to work and back every day. From a young age, Amy showed a great talent for singing, even being “pulled up” a grade to be able to sing in an elite high school choir. Her voice teacher offered to take her to Europe for further training, telling her she could be famous. However, Amy repeatedly affirmed that she wasn’t seeking fame and fortune, but would rather use her voice for the Lord. She sang in church choirs, sang as special music for church services, and sang in the Metropolitan Choir of Praise for many years. In later years, Amy was in several plays/musicals with Red Barn Theatre and Holland Theatre. During high school, Amy also participated in Dutch Dance in Holland’s annual Tulip Festival. She reprised that role in later years by dancing alumni. When she graduated from High School, Amy married Lee Beyer on October 29, 1953. They first lived in an upstairs apartment on 16th St., and later bought a home on 35th Street. Four children were born to them: Nancy, Cathy, Laura, and Sandy. They were divorced in 1963, and Amy and the children moved to a home on East Ottogan in Holland. Shortly thereafter, Amy married Jason Haveman, and together they had Scott, Diane, Sheila, and Jamie. They built a home on Beeline Road in 1966, where the children grew up on 30 acres. During this time numerous foster children were also brought into the family. Amy won multitudes of blue ribbons at the fair for her cooking and baking, and even won Allegan County’s “Young Homemaker of the Year” in 1970. She also sewed a lot, making many outfits for her family. She loved and collected antiques, and dreamed of opening her own shop called “Juke Box Café Antiques” which would also include an old-fashioned ice cream and malt shop. She loved using her antique equipment to make malts for grandchildren. Jas and Amy divorced in 1976, and Amy went back to school to earn her nursing degree. After graduating in 1983, she worked in some facilities, and did in-home healthcare for many patients of a wide range of ages. Amy married Roger Groot in 1984. However, it was a very rocky relationship, and they divorced about 1998. In June of 2002, Amy sold her home on Beeline Road, and fulfilled her dream of renovating an old house which was on the Kalamazoo River, and furnishing it with antiques. She married Ted Ploehn in 2006. They were divorced in 2019. In 2022, the Riverhouse was sold and Amy moved into an Independent Living apartment at Addington Place at Lakeside Vista on 40th in Holland. She lived there until early 2025, when she was moved to the Memory Care Unit at Riley’s Grove in Zeeland. Staff there loved her very much, commenting often that she was so sweet and funny. Sadly a stroke ended her life on August 25, 2026. Amy’s wish was to be cremated and her ashes strewn in the Kalamazoo River, which she loved. She requested no visitation or service. Amy is survived by her eight children. She also had thirty-one grandchildren, and forty-seven great-grandchildren.

Amy V. Haveman

August 29, 1935 - August 25, 2026