Verlin N. Harder

Verlin N. Harder, 82, of Holland, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on June 4, 2020. A private celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 11AM, at First Congregational Church UCC, 2001 Niles Ave, St. Joseph, with Pastor Jeffrey Hubers officiating. A live streaming of the service will be available atwww.fccstjoseph.org Friends may join the family for the committal service on Tuesday at 12PM at Hickory Bluff Cemetery. Friends may also visit with the family on Monday, June 8, 2020, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, from 4PM until 6PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church UCC, 2001 Niles Ave, St. Joseph, or St. Joseph Band & Orchestra Parents (SJBOP), 2521 Stadium Dr., St. Joseph. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Verlin was born on November 11, 1937, to Henry & Hilda (Klassen) Harder in Enid, OK and then raised in Aberdeen, ID. Verlin graduated from University High School in Normal, IL then continued his education at Bethel College where he earned his Bachelors Degree in 1962. On September 26, 1959, Verlin married the love of his life Roberta “Bobbie” Magee in the chapel in Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. Verlin started working for Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor in 1965 and retired as Chief Financial Officer from Lakeland Regional Health Care in 2000. Verlin was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed traveling as he visited all 50 U.S. states and most of the provinces in Canada, but his favorite place was to travel to Walt Disney World with his family. Verlin is survived by his wife of 60 years Bobbie Harder of Holland; children, Michelle (Ted) Diamond of St. Joseph and Mark (Angie) Harder of Holland; grandchildren, Joe, Dan (Cecilia), Tom (Katie Hoyt), Matt (Meagan), James and Jakob; and brother Paul (Eldine) Harder of Newton, KS. Verlin was preceded in death by his parents, Henry & Hilda Harder and brother Glennie Harder.