Howard Broekema

Howard Jack Broekema, age 89, of Grand Rapids, went to be with his Lord and was reunited with the love of his life, our mother, Maxine, on Saturday, May 7, 2016.  Sixty-three wonderful years of marriage began by Dad asking the prettiest girl he’d ever seen to dance with him on the beach in Grand Haven.  Howard was a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, graduated from Creston High School and retired after 32 years from General Motors as a supervisor in Die Design at the 36^th St. plant.  Howard enlisted in the Army Air Corps and proudly served his country as an aircraft mechanic in Europe, at the close of World War II.  He enjoyed building and flying radio controlled aircraft and was a member of the KRAM Club.  He spent many years collecting HO Gauge Trains, photographing steam locomotives and old depots around the state.  He was also an Amateur Radio Operator (WB8VON).  Being a GM man and a Pontiac fan, longtime friendships and memberships were maintained within the WMPOCI and GTOAA clubs.  Howard’s favorite memories always involved visiting relatives in Grand Haven and summer vacations with the family out west, also in Leland, MI and later in life, winter vacations to Florida with relatives.  Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Helen Broekema; brothers, Bernard Broekema, Kenneth Broekema and Andrew Broekema.  Howard will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his children, Sandra Cleveland, Brian and Deb Broekema, Susan and Tom Pelon; grandchildren, Kurtis Cleveland, Matthew and Lindsay Cleveland, Jeffrey and Stacey Cleveland, Chelsea Broekema, Michael and Amanda Pelon; great grandchildren, Tricia Graves and Rebecca Cleveland.  The family would like to thank the staff at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods for their heartfelt care and compassion toward our father.  Funeral services will be held 2 pm on Thursday at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating.  Interment Fairplains Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 3-5 and 6-8 pm at the funeral home.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Faith Hospice.