Marvin Konynenbelt

Chaplain LTC Marvin Konynenbelt (Ret)
Marv passed away on August 13, 2009, after a long and courageous fight with heart disease. He died the way that he lived - with conviction of the resurrection and the firm assurance that he will be reunited in the life to come with all those who believe in Christ.
Marv was born in the Netherlands in 1939. His family moved to Michigan in 1961 by way of Canada. Marv attended Calvin College and Seminary. He graduated from Calvin seminary and was ordained by the Christian Reformed Church in 1965. He loved his Lord passionately and preached His Good News as an army chaplain for 28 years. His tours of duty include: Vietnam 1967-1968; Berlin, Germany; Brooklyn, NY; Ft. Ord, CA; Walter Reed in Washington, DC, Brooklyn, NY, Camp Zama, Japan, ft. Knox, KY, Darmstadt, Germany, and Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He loved army soldiers and their families. His was a ministry of presence. His awards include: the Purple Heart; three Bronze Stars with 'V' device; and the Legion of Merit. After his retirement, he continued to work in his pastoral role in church settings as an interim pastor and associate pastor for visitation. Marv loved people and people loved him.
He married Harmina (Ina) Autsema in 1965 and she remained the love of his life. Together, they have three children: Mark (& Henrietta) Konynenbelt from Hudsonville, Michigan, Lisa (& Curtis) Vander Meer from Fishers, Indiana, and Andrea (& Joel) Greenwood from Amherst, New York. They have six grandchildren: Alexis, Anna, Katrina, Seth, Jonathan, and Luke. He adored his grandchildren and they adored him. He was their beloved Opa. He is also survived by Herma Janssens, Ann (& Bob) Veenkamp, John (& Mary) Konynenbelt, Harry (Diane) Konynenbelt; and many nieces & nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna & Bert; his in-laws; and four grandchildren, Claire, Rebecca, Aaron & Hope.
Marv and Ina attended Crossroads Community Church in Fishers, Indiana. Until his health failed, he and Ina did a lot of traveling. His last overseas trip was to Israel. The spiritual highlights of that trip were lessons learned in the Engedi desert and on the Sea of Galilee; the ascent up Mt. Masada; and the Garden of Gethsemane. Marv had many other interests. He loved to work with wood, loved to garden, loved to read, and loved to exercise and socialize at Riverview Rehab. He never knew a stranger. His smile was infectious and his passion for life so very real.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 12:00PM at Crossroads Community Church, 14885 Greenfield Ave, Fishers, IN, with visitation beginning at 10:00AM prior to the service. Pastor Scott Dean will officiate. There will also be a visitation at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home in Noblesville, on Monday, August 17 from 4:00PM-8:00PM. A military burial will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, August 19 at Zeeland Cemetery in Zeeland, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Christian Services, 7172 Graham Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250.