Rev. Winston C. Boelkins

Rev. Winston C. Boelkins, aged 85, died peacefully on Sunday, March 27, 2016. Winston was born in Muskegon in 1930. He attended Calvin College and Seminary where he met his wife, Grace, who preceded him in death. He began his ministry at Riverside CRC in Grand Rapids, then served at First CRC in Edmonton, Alberta; Preakness CRC in Wayne, NJ; Parklane CRC in Evergreen Park, IL; First CRC in Visalia, CA; retiring in Byron Center, MI. Winston received a Computer Application Certificate from Grand Rapids Community College at the age of 76 and was instrumental in starting a support group on Facebook for CRC pastors. Winston is survived by his daughters and their spouses,:Bob and Karen Hengeveld, Wayne and Marcia Dyksen, Stu and Cheryl Sisco, Patrick and Brenda Niles; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Stan and Gilda Boelkins; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Oppewal, John and Lola Ferwerda, Martin and Bernice Ferwerda, Peter and Janet Ferwerda, and Anne Batts. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and burial will be at Winchester Cemetery. Winston will be remembered in a Service of Celebration to be held on Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 pm at Hillside Community Church, 1440 – 68^th Street SE (just west of Kalamazoo Ave) with Rev. Ron Kool officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family at the church on Saturday from 2:30-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.