This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MichaelCronk28 Surnames: BEETS, POEL, SMIT Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kent/8674/mb.ashx Message Board Post: MINISTER, EDITOR DEATH TAKES DR. BEETS AFTER STROKE REV. HENRY BEETS, a minister in the Christian Reformed Church for more than half a century and distinguished as an author and editor, died Wednesday at his home, 737 Madison Ave., SE, after a short illness. He was 78 years old. MR. BEETS was taken ill Oct. 10, when he suffered a stroke at Holland, where he had gone to attend a meeting of the Michigan Historical Society, of which he was a member. He was returned to his home and had been under the care of his son, DR. W.C. BEETS, Grand Rapids physician. Eight years ago Mr. Beets retired after 52 years with the church. At the time of his retirement, he was Denomination Director of Missions. Since his retirement, he retained many church and public activities. Mr. Beets had planned to sail in December for Curacao and Dutch Guiana, where he planned to visit Moravian missions, for which he had raised funds when their support by The Netherlands was cut off during the war. He also planned to visit The Netherlands next May. BORN IN Koedykn [Koedyk], The Netherlands, he had been honored twice by the Queen. In 1934 he was made a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau and more recently had been made an Officer. Mr. Beets came to the United States in 1886. In 1895 he married CLARA POEL of Grand Haven, who died last year. He was ordained to the ministry in 1895 after being graduated from Calvin College and Seminary. He came to the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed church as pastor in 1899 after a four-year pastorate at the Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Ia. HIS PASTORATE at the LaGrave Avenue church continued until 1915, when he accepted the pulpit at the Burton Heights Christian Reformed Church. He held this post until 1920, when he became Denominational Director of Missions. In 1902 he became the Denomination's Stated Clerk and held this post until 1942. He was President of the Grand Rapids Ministerial Conference in 1930 and 1931. HIS INTEREST in missions led to much of his writing. From 1904 to 1929 he was Editor of The Banner, denominational publication. His first writings were published as a book, titled "Triumphs of the Cross." He wrote a number of books of a catechetical nature, the most complete history of his denomination, and a larger work, "The Christian Reformed Church," covering not only the history of the denomination but its creed, liturgy, distinctive principles, church government and church order. Most of his writings, including poetry, were printed in both Dutch and English. He wrote in the Dutch language books dealing with the lives of McKinley and Lincoln. MANY TIMES he was named delegate to the General Synod of the church and his counsel often was sought not only in church affairs but also in civic matters. He served on the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Library Boards. Mr. Beets had traveled over the world in the interest of missions. In 1911 the honorary degree of L.D. was conferred on him by Muskingum College. He was the longest continuous active member of the YMCA and a resolution lauding his work was adopted Wednesday noon at a meeting of the association's board. "DR BEETS served his generation well because he served his God humbly." said Rev. John C. DeKorne, who succeeded Mr. Beets as Secretary of Missions. SURVIVING ARE three sons, HENRY NICHOLS, ABEL JASPER and DR. WILLIAM CLARENCE BEETS. The body will be at the residence until noon Saturday when it will be taken to LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church to lie in state until 2 p.m. Following a prayer for the family by Rev. W.D. VanderWerp, services will be conducted by Dr. George Goris, pastor of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. The sermon will be given by Dr. John C. DeKorne. The eulogy will be delivered by Rev. Seth VanderWerf of Holland, Mr. Beet's associate in publishing the Missionary Monthly. Graveside services at Woodlawn Cemetery will be conducted by Mr. Beet's nephew, REV. ABEL POEL, a missionary to the Indians in Rehoboth, N.M. THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 30 Oct. 1947, Pg. 1 Col. 2 and Pg. 5, Cols. 4-5 ************************************ DR. HENRY BEETS Grand Rapids, the Christian Reformed Church and all the far-flung peoples reached by the missions of his denomination lost a friend, a tireless leader and wise counselor Wednesday morning when death came for Dr. Henry Beets. The influence of his 78 years of devotion to his fellow man and his 52 years of ministry will live long after him. Dr. Beets, was born in The Netherlands, rose to high place among the Holland-American folk of his adopted country, won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact here and throughout the world he traveled so widely, and was honored by the sovereign of his native land who made him an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Preacher and scholar, administrator and humanitarian, Dr. Beets led a busy life. The chronicle of his positions as clergyman, editor and, director of missions is long. The list of books he authored is imposing. The honors accorded him are impressive. Withal he was a modest and humble man, quiet, sincere, energetic, a man who despite the burden of his many responsibilities in and for the Church he served found time to take his full part as a citizen of his adopted Nation and of the City in which he lived for nearly half a century. In Grand Rapids, he will be mourned and remembered not only by the Holland-American groups whose spokesman he so often was and by the denomination of which he was a fore-most representative, but by those he served directly as one-time President of the Grand Rapids Ministers Conference, as a member of the Grand Rapids Art and Museum Commission, in the activities of the Rotary Club, and in countless civic and charitable works. THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., 30 Oct. 1947, Pg. 4, Col. 1 ****************************** In the 'Clergy Politicians in Michigan' section of 'The Political Graveyard,' Henry Beets is stated to have been born in Koedyk, Netherlands, 5 January 1869, the son of JASPER BEETS and MARGARET SMIT. He was married 11 Sept. 1895 to CLARA POEL. http://politicalgraveyard.com/geo/MI/clergy.html Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.