William Richard Groeneveld

Bill was born in Muskegon, Michigan. Jan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So, how does a boy from Michigan meet and marry a girl from Wisconsin? Because God deemed it so.

Bill and Jan at met at her parents’ home when Jan was a senior in high school and Bill was a freshman at Milwaukee Bible College (MBC) staying in the dorm over the Christmas break. Jan’s family invited Bill to spend some time with them. The rest is history.

Bill graduated from MBC in 1959 with his Bachelor’s degree. Jan attended and graduated from MBC with her Associate degree. They were married months after graduation at Fundamental Bible Church in Milwaukee. Bill and Jan celebrated 66 years of marriage in August 2025.

Bill faithfully served as a pastor for 31 years at churches in Farwell, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; South Gate, California; Burnsville, Minnesota; and Evansville, Indiana. After ministry, he worked for Helmer Scientific in marketing and sales from 1992 - 2010. Bill led a Bible class in their home for many years and dreamed of writing a theology book. He loved to tease and tell jokes. He would weave his jokes into conversation and sometimes you wouldn’t know if what he was telling you was the truth or one of his jokes! He loved trains, nature, deer hunting, and fishing.

Jan served faithfully alongside Bill in ministry leading women’s Bible studies, heading up VBS, ministering to the elderly, and in countless other ways. She spoke at several women’s retreats and conferences. She also worked at South Gate Junior High School as a teacher’s aide. In Minnesota she worked at Twin Cities Federal Savings and Loan. She had various jobs in Fishers the last of which was church secretary at Hamilton Hills Baptist Church. If you knew Jan for even a week or two, she would create a personalized prayer card just for you! She loved her family fiercely and prayed for them unceasingly. Jan had a heart for those without Christ and wanted everyone to know the Savior that she loved.

Bill suffered a heart attack in July 2025 and had been on hospice care for the past seven months. Jan suffered from dementia and lived in skilled nursing for the past eight years.

Bill and Jan loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and both had surrendered their lives to Him as teenagers. We are confident that because of Christ’s sacrificial death on their behalf and their faith in Him, they are now with their Savior. No doubt they were welcomed into heaven with these words from Him, “Well done, good and faithful servants! Come and share your Master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21)

Bill and Jan were loved by everyone they met, but by their family most of all. They will be deeply missed!

They are survived by their daughters Linda (married to David Holton) and Karen (married to Doug Helmer); their grandchildren Luke Helmer (married to Kayla), Emily Woods (Helmer) (married to Kurt Woods), Kayleigh Holton, and Meredith Holton; and their great-grandchildren William & Matthew Woods; Max, Hazel, Belle, and May Helmer.

A private celebration of life will be held in April.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Grace Christian University (formerly Milwaukee Bible College) at gracechristian.edu or to the Alzheimer’s Association.