Bert VandenTop peacefully entered his eternal home on Sunday, November 10, 2024. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, “Mimi” (Marianne), on September 9, 2019. Bert leaves behind his daughter, Michelle (Mitch) Tuinstra of West Lafayette, Indiana, and son, Marcel (Hope) Vanden Top of Holland, Michigan. Bert and Marianne dearly loved their grandchildren: Chloe, Caden (Elly), and Corey Tuinstra; Elyssa and Gavin VandenTop. He marveled that he also had a great-grandchild, Julia, with another one on the way next year. 

Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit Jan and Elbertje VandenTop and siblings: Harriet (Dick) Schlusser, Mae (George) Popma, Johanna (Gerrit) Donkersgoed, Gerrit Jan (Grietje) VandenTop, George VandenTop, and his brother-in-law, Everett Baker.  He is survived by his sister, Trudy Baker, and sister-in-laws, Francine VandenTop and Willie Kroesbergen. He  was preceded in death by his in-laws: Willem and Wijntje (Trompetter) Asma, Elisabeth (Kees) Groenewegen, Jacoba (Pete) DenHartigh, Gre (Piet) Visscher, Neil (Alberdina) Asma, Nick (Lois) Asma, John Asma, Jake Asma, Chuck Quist, and Mary Asma. Surviving are Donna Asma, Nancy Asma, Albert Asma, and Janie Quist, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Barneveld, the Netherlands, Bert’s formative years on his family farm (named Olden Barneveld) included life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.    His father was a leader in the Dutch Red Cross and the farm secretly housed many Dutch refugees and sometimes (forcibly) German soldiers.  During the Hunger Winter, Dutch citizens lined up at the VandenTop homestead for food the family had spared from their farm.  Elbertje, his mother, cooked large meals and exhibited a sense of hospitality during uncertain times.   Bert shared many stories about the war over the years.

After the war, the family split up, with some older siblings moving to Alberta, Canada.  In 1952, Bert’s parents and the remaining family members immigrated to Iron Springs, Alberta with the purpose of establishing a new life on a new farm.  Several years later, Bert began to study electronics which turned into a new career.

Bert met the love of his life, Marianne via a long distance pen pal letter exchange between fellow Dutch immigrants.  Marianne and her family had immigrated to the USA and were living in the Kalamazoo area.  Bert and Marianne were married in 1965 and immediately moved to Alberta.  After about one year, Marianne was very homesick and, when Bert found a job in Kentwood, the two moved back to West Michigan.  Bert took a job at Dekam’s TV repair where he was employed for a few years before working at Electronic City TV, primarily installing TV antennas

When Electronic City decided to exit the antenna installation business in 1981, Bert decided to start his own business.  Electronic City gave him leads for customers who wanted new antennas and ‘Bert’s Electronic Shop” was born.  Besides installing TV antennas, Bert also installed large satellite dishes, in home audio systems, central vacuum systems, and fire detection systems at retirement homes.

Bert was always active in his local church, first at Princeton CRC and then at First Cutlerville CRC.  He was a devoted supporter of the prolife movement, having started a Cutlerville Prolife committee, as well as donating his time and money at crisis pregnancy shelters.  After retirement, he was a volunteer election day poll worker as well as a volunteer cashier at the Rustic Market in Cutlerville.

In his later years, at Royal Park and Waterford, one could find him working on poetry and devotionals and tinkering on his computer and iPad.  His mother’s phrase summed up life: “What God does is well done.”

A celebration of Bert’s life will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at First Cutlerville CRC, 1425 68th Street SW, Byron Center, MI, 49315. Visitation will begin at 11 AM followed by a service at noon. A luncheon will be provided. The 2:15 PM burial service will conclude the day. In lieu of flowers and to honor Bert’s wishes, please donate to the Right to Life of Michigan here: https://rtl.org/donate/