Corniel “Niel” DeWall, Jr.

Corniel “Niel” DeWall, Jr., age 91, of Grand Haven, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Christian Haven Home. He was born on August 1, 1932, in Muskegon, MI, to the late Corniel and Jeanette (Wierengo) DeWall. Niel married Audrey Ann Hendricks on March 20, 1952, in Muskegon. She preceded him in death on February 27, 2009, just prior to their 57th wedding anniversary.

Niel graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School and went on to proudly serve his country in the US Army from 1952 to 1954, during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge from the service, he obtained employment working as a butcher for Scott Tjapkes in Fremont before owning his own grocery store in White Cloud. He then went into business with his brother Marv, owning a grocery store together in Newaygo. He later ran the food program for the Fremont Public Schools for many years until he retired in 1994 and moved to Spring Lake to be closer to his grandchildren.

Niel was a former, long-time attendee of Trinity Christian Reformed Church of Fremont and All Shores Wesleyan Church of Spring Lake. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, fishing, traveling, and camping up in Pentwater. Niel found great joy attending his grandchildren’s many school events and was especially passionate about Western Michigan Christian athletic programs. 

Everyone in his family would agree the legacy he left was putting his family first by giving them the gift of time, enjoying the simple things, and being content with the blessed life God had given him. He adored his wife, Audrey, and taught us all to savor every day you have with the love of your life.

Niel is lovingly remembered and missed by his two daughters, Becky (Chuck) Rycenga of Grand Haven and Lisa Carson of Peachtree City, GA; his two sons, Mike (Sharon) DeWall of Walker and Randy DeWall of Byron Center; 14 beloved grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Judy DeWall, Sharon DeWall, Sharlene Campbell, Sandy (Dan) Calkins, and brother-in-law, Kip Hendricks. Niel also had a special bond with his favorite caregiver at Christian Haven Home, Leanne Darling.

In addition to his wife, he was also preceded in death by his brothers: Robert, Philip, and Marvin DeWall; and sister-in-law, Susan DeWall.

A Celebration of Life for Niel will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Vander Lee officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Western Michigan Christian Schools or Christian Haven Home c/o Sunset Senior Communities. 

** The Celebration of Life Service for Corniel will be recorded. Please click below after the service to view:

https://youtube.com/live/Vwy7AAS9u6w?feature=share

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