Bernard "Ben" A. van Staveren, 80, of Spring, Texas peacefully entered eternal rest on April 22, 2024. He was born on February 27, 1944 in 's-Gravenhage, the Netherlands to the late Theodore M. van Staveren and Petronella E. (Knijnenburg) van Staveren.

Ben was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, dedicated to his family and Catholic faith. He served as a eucharistic minister, sang with the choir, and was a member of the Men of Jude and ACTS communities at St. Jude Thaddeus in Beaumont, Texas and was an equally active parishioner at St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, Texas. Ben was inducted into the fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus with Council 951 in Beaumont and continued his membership and volunteer work with St. Anthony of the Woodlands Council 12327. An engineer by both trade and personality, his retirement years included correcting professional and other people's DIY home improvement projects as well as fielding automotive, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and appliance-related questions from his children. In his spare time, Ben enjoyed travelling, visiting with family and friends, music, upgrading his Craftsman tool collection, all things related to the University of Michigan Wolverines, and as much televised soccer as his wife could handle.

Ben is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Patricia Mary van Staveren, daughter Elizabeth M. Willmore, son-in-law Robert Willmore, son Michael J. van Staveren, daughter-in-law Erin van Staveren, and son Brian A. van Staveren. Ben was an amazing Opa to his grandchildren Madeline van Staveren, Ashton Willmore, Jay van Staveren, Sage Willmore, Nathan van Staveren, Emily van Staveren, and Lauren van Staveren.

He is also survived by brother Frans (Alice) van Staveren, sister Maggie van Staveren, brother Leo (Jan) van Staveren, sister Cobi van Staveren, sister Bernadet van Staveren, brother Lowie (Candy) van Staveren, brother Andy (Ann) van Staveren, brother-in-law Bill (Lupe) Pillars, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Including his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his niece Natalie van Staveren, sister Marianne Scout, brother-in-law Jerry Scout, brother Tony van Staveren, brother Al van Staveren, and granddaughter Allison van Staveren.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. David Hust at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, April 30th at the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 7801 Bay Branch Drive in The Woodlands. A gathering of family and friends will precede the Mass in the Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with a light reception to follow at the Paduan Center on the church campus.

A visitation for Ben will be held on Tuesday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m. with a Recitation of the Rosary and military honors starting 1:00 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. Eleven Mile Road in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.

Serving as pallbearers in Texas are John Wood, Kevin McDonough, Fernando Hess, and Jeff Gillispie.

Serving as pallbearers in Michigan are Nick van Staveren, Greg Scout, Gary van Staveren, and Bradley van Staveren.

In remembrance of Ben's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the American Heart Association.

American Heart Association Donation Link