William Brock, Jr.

Funeral Director / Manager NJ Lic. #3287

William Brock Jr. was born in Passaic, NJ to William and Clarice Brock.  He was #4 of 5 children.  He has 3 older sisters and a younger brother all of whom continue to live in New Jersey with their families.  Bill met his wife Linda in 1968, he married his high school sweetheart in 1973.  They have 3 children, Tim and his wife Lori (Fabano), Jackie and her husband Dean Brauch and Kelly and his wife Becky (Englishman) and 8 adoring grandchildren. 

                Bill was a 1971 graduate of Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy and returned home to attend Mercer County Community College where he graduated with a degree in pre-mortuary science.  He graduated cum laude in 1976 from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. Bill, along with his son Tim presently own and operate the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff.  He is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Directors Assoc. where he now serves as president, a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Director’s Assoc., and the National Funeral Directors Association.  The Vander Plaat Funeral Home has been a member of the Order of the Golden Rule since 1972.  OGR is an international organization of independently owned funeral homes worldwide. Bill recently retired from the Board of Directors of OGR where he served as president 2015 – 2016.  

                A lifelong resident and strong advocate for the community of Wyckoff, Bill has been a volunteer firefighter since 1973.  He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat (a home for mentally and physically handicapped children located in Wyckoff) Fair Committee which he chaired many years.  Bill and Linda are members of the Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church where he has served as an usher, deacon, elder and vice president of the church council along with being a past youth group leader.  His passion is driving 18 wheel tractor trailers. On occasion he is able to use his driving skills to bring needed donations to the Cary Christian Center in Mississippi.

                In 1992 he had the honor of serving the Nixon family when Patricia Nixon passed away.  Again in 1993 the Nixon family called upon him with the passing of President Nixon.  As a proud American, Bill was able to serve the Nixon family with great dignity and respect.  Throughout my career I have found it an honor and a privilege to serve many families of the greater Wyckoff community. I thank them for allowing me to help them in their greatest time of need.  

Timothy W. Brock

Funeral Director NJ Lic. # 4278

Timothy W. Brock a lifelong resident of Wyckoff, was born and raised in the funeral home. He is a fifth generation funeral director in the Vander Plaat family. As a young man Tim worked alongside of his dad doing yard work and cleaning the business cars. His interest in funeral service became apparent following his graduation from Eastern Christian High School in 1992. He went on to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute in 1996 with a degree in Biology and Computer Science. In 1997, he graduated cum laude from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service and was licensed as a funeral director in 1998. 

He is a member of the Academy of Funeral Service Professionals. Tim presently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thanexus Inc. as co-op of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Assoc. He is also a member of the International Order of the Golden Rule, the National Funeral Directors Assoc., New Jersey State Funeral Directors Assoc., and Bergen County Funeral Directors Assoc. 

Tim's computer skills have enabled the funeral home to advance their technology to better serve their families. He was instrumental in planning the recent reconstruction of the funeral home in 2012. 

In 1996, Tim joined the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department, following in the footsteps of both his grandfathers, his father, and was joined by his brother. Tim is currently serving as the 27th Chief of the Department having worked his way through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief. 

Tim met his wife Lori in 2004 and they were married in 2005. They live in Wyckoff with their two children, Ryan and Victoria. 

Mary Holloway

Funeral Director NJ Lic. # 3854

Having experienced the loss and pain with the death of a loved one, as Mary I. (Osborne) Holloway did with the sudden death of her father when she was 12 years old, combined with an English Class homework-assignment while in the 8th grade, her journey to become a licensed funeral director began. Having been raised in the Town of Boonton, along with her five siblings, she attended local public schools and graduated in 1979 from County College of Morris with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. She continued her education to pursue her funeral directors license by attending the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, New York, NY, graduating in 1981. Mary joined the staff of the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in 1988, along with her husband, Gary W. Holloway, where she has been privileged to assist and guide families with her knowledge in honoring the life of their loved ones. 

While attending high school and college, Mary volunteered as a member of the Boonton Kiwanis Ambulance, while her four brothers volunteered with the Boonton Fire Department, which they continue to do and her sister served in the United States Army. 

She is a member of the Passaic County Funeral Directors Association, where she has served as President and Secretary, a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Mary serves on the Board of Trustees for the Alfred H. Baumann Free Public Library in Woodland Park, currently serving as Treasurer. She is a parishioner of St. ·Elizabeth RC Church, Wyckoff, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, active with the Hospitality Committee and former member of the Liturgy Committee. A member of the Lupus Foundation, NJ Chapter and a former Board of Directors member for Passaic Valley Hospice and former coordinator and facilitator for "Rainbows for All Children'" a free program offered to children who are grieving from a· death or divorce. 

Mary and her husband, Gary have been residents of the Borough of Woodland park since, 2000.

Lisa Caggiano

Funeral Director NJ Lic # 3934

John M. Podesta

Funeral Director NJ Lic. # 5021

John Martin Podesta grew up in Wood-Ridge, NJ and attended Paramus Catholic High School graduating in 2007.  An avid ice hockey player he was a goaltender for the Paladins and continued playing throughout his college career.  He attended St. Thomas Aquinas college and later transferred to and graduated from Montclair State University in 2010 with a degree in biology.

After obtaining his degree John wanted a career that not only involved science, but a career and a true calling to help others, deciding to become a funeral director and then went on to attend Mercer County Community College’s mortuary science program where he received his certificate in funeral service. He obtained his license in 2011 and has been working as a funeral director since then. John has a passion for caring for others and has a special quote by Albert Einstein he revitalized “A life spent unto the services of others, is truly a life well spent”. His other passion is knowing and learning more and more about American history having both his grandfather’s honorably served in World War II in the Pacific campaign.

               John and his wife Lindsey currently reside in Rutherford. John and Lindsey recently welcomed their first child, a wonderful, beautiful baby girl named Anabelle Grace Podesta.  In his spare time, when not holding his little joy with Lindsey, John enjoys watching and attending New Jersey Devils games as well as spending time with friends at Gun For Hire, Woodlawn Park Range where he is not only a long time member but is also a Certified Range Safety Officer.

Aside from his love of being with his wife and daughter, his love and passion is caring for families during one of the most difficult times in their lives.   John proudly joined the Vander Plaat, Wyckoff family on November 1, 2021.

Sean Cullen

Funeral Director NJ Lic # 5316

Angela Peterson

Funeral Director NJ Lic # 5333

Carl Kofler

Funeral Director NJ Lic # 5398

Carl Kofler was born in Great Britain in 1967, then moved to Canada. Carl moved to Wyckoff, NJ in 1980 and has been part of the community ever since. He graduated from Ramapo Regional High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ in 1986. In December 1989 Carl joined The Wyckoff Fire Department Protection Co.#1. He attended Union County College and received his Certification as a Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic. Carl work for 25 years in Northern New Jersey as a Paramedic for four different MICU projects. In 2018, Carl was accepted to American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY, and graduated 2022. Carl received his New Jersey Funeral Director License in the spring of 2023. Carl has been part of the Vander Plaat Funeral Home since 2019.

Linda Brock *

Office Staff

Linda was born and raised in the funeral home. Her parents John C. and Elizabeth moved to Wyckoff in 1952 when her dad opened the Wyckoff branch. His grandfather was the originator of the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Garfield, NJ in 1894. 

As a young girl Linda played the flute and was a member of the North Jersey Junior Philharmonic with Walter Schroeder for many years. She graduated from Eastern Christian High School in 1970 and went on to become a Registered Nurse graduating from Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing in 1973. She worked as a pediatric nurse in the Valley Hospital and then on a medical/surgical unit at the Hamilton Hospital just outside of Trenton, NJ. In 1973 she married the love of her life Bill and they began a family. God has blessed this couple with 3 children, Timothy & his wife Lori, Jacqueline and her husband Dean Brauch and their youngest son William Kelly and his wife Rebecca. These 3 children have blessed this family with 8 grandchildren. 

Working alongside of her husband since the children were young has enabled the couple to become a strong unit. As Office Manager she provides much needed administrative support. Linda became an Emergency Medical Technician in 1985 and is a member of the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps having served as the second female Captain in its history. She is currently a member of the Wyckoff Board of Health, The Atlantic Stewardship Bank Business Board, and the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Aux. having served as President and Recording Secretary. Linda and Bill are members of the Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church where she has been a youth group leader, Bible School Teacher, choir member and hand bell ringer. Her hobbies include baking, knitting and being a Stampin Up Card Demonstrator. 

Linda feels honored and blessed to contribute to the support of the funeral home and the families that entrust their loved ones to our care. 

Brenda Hoeffs *

Office Staff

Brenda A. Hoeffs was born in Ridgewood, NJ to John C. & Elizabeth Vander Plaat. She is the youngest of three. Brenda met her husband, Russell in California and together they have four sons and four cherished grandchildren. When helping families with the loss of their loved ones it touches home each time. Their son Robert passed away after a courageous three year battle with brain cancer. Brenda's father, John C. Vander Plaat passed away in 2013. 

Brenda was a 1973 graduate of Eastern Christian High School. 

Brenda's entire family has deep roots in volunteering which stands to reason why Brenda enjoys being a member and Secretary of Lions Club of Wyckoff, past president of Wyckoff Fire Dept. Ladies Aux., American Legion Ladies Aux., and CERT (Citizens Emergency Response Team) 

Brenda provides Administrative support to families and staff. 

When Brenda is not at work she can be found enjoying time with her two youngest grandchildren, gardening and spending time in the Poconos. 

Laura Dykstra *

Office Staff

Laura (Steiginga) Dykstra grew up in Hawthorne, NJ. She attended Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, NJ and Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Ml, where she studied accounting. 

Laura and her husband Rob married in 1988. They have been blessed with three children, Ryan and his wife Samantha (Abma), Shannon and Kyle and have recently become grandparents for the first time. Rob & Laura are members of the Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff, where she has served on various committees, in addition to having served as a greeter, GEMS counselor and youth group leader. 

Before joining the staff of Vander Plaat Funeral Home in 2008, Laura worked part time in the accounting industry, while raising her family. She now provides bookkeeping and administrative support for the funeral home. 

Jackie Brauch *

Intern

Steve Bruining *

Funeral Attendant

Steve Bruining grew up on Lodi, NJ. He attended Lodi High School and Montclair State College where he played basketball. 

Steve and his wife Nancy (Steiginga) were married in September, 1978. They are blessed with their son Harrison and his wife Samantha and son Andrew. 

Steve and Nancy are members of Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff where he serves on various committees and has also served as an elder and deacon. 

Before joining VanderPlaat Funeral Home in 2013, he was a plant manager in the printing industry and Maintenance Director at The Holland Christian Home. At VanderPlaat Funeral Home Steve provides support to the funeral director and the families they serve. He is also responsible for maintaining the facilities and the vehicles. 

Craig Booth *

Funeral Attendant

Craig enjoyed a 35 plus year career in the Information Technology industry. He worked for retail, shipping, consumer electronics, automotive and IT service organizations as a computer programmer, consultant and project manager. In 2003, he joined our team on a part time basis as a funeral attendant working alongside Vander Plaat staff providing for the needs of families requesting our services. In 2012, he joined our staff in a fulltime capacity continuing to provide the same level of service in addition to assisting with technical and administrative support. 

Craig and his wife reside locally.