Lester Wallinga

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Lester Jay (Les) Wallinga, age 85, of Jenison, peacefully left his earthly body and entered into Glory rejoicing on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Lester was born on October 2, 1937 in his parents’ Eastmanville home. He was the youngest child of four born to Louis and Jennie (VanderPloeg) Wallinga. He attended Allendale Christian and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1955. He went on to Calvin College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1959. Les received his Master of Education through Michigan State University by compiling continuing education classes while traveling many summers with his family throughout the Contiguous United States. While at Calvin College, he enjoyed singing in the choir, but most of all expressed his love of music playing clarinet in the band. Les met his sweetheart, Dorothy Hondorp, at Calvin College, they were married on June 22, 1961, and went on to have two children. Les began his teaching career in 1959, educating middle school students in science and math at Godwin Christian School which later became Calvin Christian Schools Association. He retired after 40 years in the classroom. Even before retirement, Les’ love for traveling brought himself and Dorothy to many countries around the world. His love for detail and planning guided him to create itineraries for those trips overseas. Les was a Ham radio operator, calling out to anyone who would like to talk with him using his calling card of W8QAX. He was passionate about connecting with people from anywhere in the world. Les and Dorothy loved attending the symphony and were season tickets holders for many years. To this day, surfing for music on the radio, Les’ kids and grandkids would stop on “Grandpa’s music” and attempt to listen for a few minutes. Sorry Dad, we never acquired your taste for your kind of music! Les loved the Lord and proved to be a faithful servant. He would often tell his children of the incredible blessings God provided for their family. That was, and is still, evident with their support for organization within the community and missionaries around the world. Les was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Jennie Wallinga; brother, Paul and Madelyn Wallinga; sister, Emaline and Melvin VanFarowe; and brother-in-law, Henry Hondorp. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; children, Scott and Andrea Wallinga, Deb and Tim Kortman; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Matthew, Daniel, and David Wallinga, Jenn and Daniel Smith (Ryker and Myla), Zach and Ashley Kortman (Roland, Wyatt, Weston, and Elliana), Alli and Trent Ramos, and Nick Kortman; brother, Louis and Ethel Wallinga; sister-in-law, Barb Hondorp; and many, many nieces and nephews and their children. Dorothy and her children would like to thank the many caregivers who poured out their hearts for Les’ most recent care while residing at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Waterford Memory Care, and also Emmanuel Hospice. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Baldwin St. Christian Reformed Church, 2101 Baldwin St, Jenison with Pastor Don VanSlyke officiating. Burial Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 4-7 pm and Friday from 10-10:45 am prior to the service at Baldwin Street CRC. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Grandville Calvin Christian Schools Foundation or Resonate Global Missions.

Livestream link: https://youtu.be/kNtULeK6Q54