Vernon Jay Laninga, passed away on July 17, 2025, five days after his 91st birthday.

Vern was born on July 12, 1934, in Byron Center, Michigan to Julius & Johanna (VanLoo) Laninga. The family moved to Lynden, Washington where he grew up with lots of cousins and made life-long friends. After graduating from Lynden Christian High School, he came to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College. The day after graduating with his bachelors degree in sociology, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood and honorably served his 2 years in the Army.

In1959, he married Anna Marie Schmidt, and moved to Ann Arbor, to attend the University of Michigan, where he earned a masters degree in social work. He worked for the Kent County Juvenile court for a few years. The rest of his career was spent working for the state of Michigan as a licensor of children's homes.

Vern was a longtime member of Fuller Ave. Church, where he served as an Elder and Deacon, and sang in the choir. He also served on the board of Oakdale Christian school, and volunteered his time to several non-profits. He really enjoyed singing with the Oratorio Society while at Calvin, then he and Ann attended the performances of the Messiah every year until COVID.

He and Ann traveled a lot, including trips to Russia, China, Israel, Egypt and Europe. They also traveled the U.S. with their children.

Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Ann and his son, Paul. He is survived by his children, Karla Laninga, Myra (Gary) Warners, and Keith (Kerry) Laninga; grandchildren, Leah (Ben) Grasmeyer, David (Liza) Warners, Adam Warners, Hannah Warners, Kinsey Laninga, and Kane Laninga; and great-grandchildren, Ford, Jade, and Olivia Grasmeyer, and Ellis and Margo Warners. He loved attending his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's social and sporting events.

He also spent a lot of time with his siblings, in-laws, and nieces and nephews. In recent years, he loved meeting his great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Friday, August 1st, 2025 at the Raybrook Manor Chapel at 3:00PM with a visitation at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to Living Stones Academy or to the Fuller Avenue Church food pantry.