VBK Funeral Homes now known as Sytsema
Apr 27, 2018Savidge St. in Spring Lake and 620 Washington Ave. in Grand Haven are now known as Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services — Spring Lake Chapel and VanZantwick Chapel, respectively.“The signs went up last week and everything is in place,” said the funeral homes’ office manager, Jen Sytsema. “This has been in the works for many years.”The Sytsema family owns three funeral homes in Muskegon.In 2009, Craig Sytsema, Jen's husband, began working at VBK's Grand Haven location. When Si Workman retired from VBK in 2011, Craig and his two brothers, Scott and Todd, purchased Workman's shares in VBK.When Dale VanZantwick retired from VBK in January 2015, the three Sytsema brothers purchased his shares. The brothers co-own the Spring Lake and Grand Haven locations with Dean Meyering.“It was really a very natural fit for us, and for Si and Dale,” Jen said. “Our families have been friends for many years. We're great business partners, as well. This was a very smooth and natural transition as they looked toward their retirement and wanted to pass the reigns along to someone they knew and trusted.”Not much will change at the funeral homes, except the name. All current employees are being retained.“Nothing with regard to our practices will change,” Jen said. “Really, it's just the name that's changing. It's helping to unify us under one umbrella. Now, the Grand Haven and Spring Lake locations are added under that umbrella. We have a wonderful team and wonderful staff that we really appreciate that can serve in both communities.”Jen said she and Craig have lived in Spring Lake Township for more than a decade.“We're very invested in this community and have really grown to love this place,” she said. “We knew that this would be a wonderful fit. It's been very positive and very warm and welcoming. Hopefully, this will be a nice, smooth transition for us and for the community as they get used to seeing a new name.”Govert VanZantwick, grandfather of Dale VanZantwick, started the Washington Avenue funeral home in 1926, the first stand-alone funeral home in Ottaw... (Grand Haven Tribune)
