Paul Northuis

Paul Edwin Northuis, age 82, loving and devoted husband of the late Marsha Borr Northuis, passed away after a courageous four-year battle with renal cancer. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Bessie (DeFouw) Northuis and brothers Kenn, Rodger, and Donald. Paul was born in Holland, Michigan. He graduated from Holland High School in 1955, Hope College in 1959, and received his Master's in Education from MSU. In 1958 he married Marsha Borr, his high school sweetheart, and they eventually moved to Wyoming, Michigan. Paul was a lifelong educator. He spent his entire career serving the students of Forest Hills Public Schools. Over the years he worked as a middle school teacher, football and basketball coach, assistant principal, principal of Forest Hills Northern High School, and Director of Operations. After retirement, he worked as a consultant and moved back to Holland. In his Grand Rapids church, he served as a choir director, choir member, elder, deacon, adult education teacher, and building committee chairperson. He enjoyed camping and sailing with his wife and daughters. The family towed a small camper through 44 of the 50 states and 5 of the 10 Canadian provinces. Every trip was well documented. Following each trip, Paul created entertaining narrated slideshows set to music to be shown at family gatherings. Paul developed and shared his various gifts as a woodworker, builder, photographer, handyman, and musician; but he especially excelled in his role as a much-loved father, grandfather, and uncle, not only within his own family but within his community. Paul is survived by daughters Shawn (Brian) Hall, Michelle (William) Bryson, and Heather (Scott) Wolterink; grandchildren Paul, Grace (Noah), Benjamin, Joel, Anna, Ethan, Matthew, Jane, and Katelyn; one great-grandson, loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of his life is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Friday, October 11, 2019, at First Reformed Church, 630 South State Street, Holland, MI 49423. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, October 10th from 5-8 PM at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th Street, Holland, MI. Memorial contributions may be given in Paul's honor to Camp Geneva Scholarship Fund.

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Paul Northuis

January 14, 1937 - September 26, 2019