Fred Holtrop

Fred Holtrop, age 95, went to be with his Lord on Friday, June 24, 2016.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor (Steketee); sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Herman De Young; brother, Ralph Holtrop; in-laws, Marcia and Robert Baker, Barbara Postma.  He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Ron and Jan Holtrop, Nancy and Jack Emelander, Beth and Roger Spoelma; grandchildren, Chris and Julie Emelander, Kerry and Paul DeKraker, Anna Holtrop, Dan Holtrop, Katie Spoelma, Lisa Spoelma; great grandchildren, Andrew, and Mackenzie Emelander, Matthew, Amanda, and Joshua De Kraker; in-laws, Dorothy Holtrop, Mary and Dr. B. Thomas Duthler, Harold Postma; many nieces and nephews.  Fred was a man of strong faith, integrity and graciousness.  He was active in his church where he served several terms as a deacon, elder and committee member of Wyoming Park/Faith Community Christian Reformed Church.  He also served as a member of the Southwest Christian School Board and was a longtime member of the Calvin Christian School Foundation Board.   Being involved in his community, he served on the Wyoming City Commission in the early days of the city’s incorporation and later served as the Chairman of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce.  Fred began his career as a bookkeeper for Kelvinator and moved up to become plant comptroller.  After Kelvinator was sold, he worked briefly for R. C. Allen and then became Vice-President of Finance and CFO for Zondervan Corporation.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday 11 am at Faith Community Christian Reformed Church, 5250 Byron Center SW, Wyoming with Rev. Roger Groenboom and Rev. Ken Havert officiating.  Interment Grandville Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Monday from 6-9 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and on Tuesday from 10-11 am at church prior to the service.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Faith Community Christian Reformed Church Faith Promise Fund or Georgetown Manor.  The family would like to thank the staff of Georgetown manor and Spectrum Health Hospice for their loving care of Dad in his final days.