Charles John Hamstra

Charles J. (“Chuck”) Hamstra, age 87, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away at home on April 28, 2023. He was born on February 12, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Peter and Sena (Vander Veen) Hamstra. Chuck graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1954 and married Beatrice M. (“Bea”) Hilbrands on June 20, 1958. Chuck received a BS from Calvin College, a BSEE from the University of Michigan in 1960, and an MBA from Western Michigan University in 1973. He was a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) and a Registered Professional Engineer (“PE”) in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. He worked as an engineer in private industry and retired after 32 years of civil service with the Department of the Navy. Professing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as his Lord and Savior, Chuck was a founding member and elder of Evangelical Community Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Chuck is survived by his wife of 64 years, Beatrice M. (Hilbrands) Hamstra of Bloomington, Indiana; three children: Charles Edward (Karen) Hamstra of Mesa, Arizona, Christine L. (Steven) Van Zanen of Klaipeda, Lithuania, and Steven J. (Cynthia) Hamstra of Bloomington, Indiana; nine grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Marcia L. (Hamstra) Scullion; sisters-in-law, Doris (Chuck) Anderson, Mildred Cole, Wilma Van Kampen, Ruth Steigenga, and Carole Hilbrands; a brother-in-law, Willis (Janice) Hilbrands; and many nephews and nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by sisters-in-law, Caroline Higgins and Donna Thompson; and brother-in-law, Rollin Hilbrands. Burial will be in Beaverdam Cemetery, Beaverdam, Ottawa County, Michigan. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on May 6, 2023, with a lunch to follow. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on June 4, 2023, at Christ Community Church, in Bloomington, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Resonate Global Mission, Grand Rapids, Michigan.