Gerrit Hoeksema

Gerrit Hoeksema, age 95, of Jenison went to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 24, 2017. Gerrit was born in Grand Rapids on July 9, 1922, to Albert and Willemke Hoeksema. He courageously served his country in World War II with the 254th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, in Europe. He worked as a tool and die maker for Keeler Brass for 44 years. After retiring, Gerrit volunteered with his wife, Mae, at JAARS in Waxhaw, North Carolina, repairing airplanes for Wycliffe Bible Translators. He also used his skills to create countless children and worship figurines, doll houses and other wood treasures for family members, friends and churches. Gerrit and Mae crafted countless quilts for charitable organizations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Willemke Hoeksema; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence and Elizabeth Vredeveld; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, James and Eileen Vredeveld, John and Esther Vredeveld, and Ruth Vredeveld. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 71 years, Mae; his children, Ronald (Lyn) Hoeksema, Terry (Joyce) Hoeksema, Marcia (David) Vruggink, and Robert (Brenda) Hoeksema; grandchildren, Timothy (Melanie) Hoeksema, Beth (Rob) Faraci, Joel (Robin) Hoeksema, Dawn (John) Grasmeyer, Laura (Jeremy) Wilmot, Leah Hoeksema, Craig (Coe) Hoeksema, Samantha Hoeksema, Rebecca (Andrew) Snippe, Nicholas Hoeksema, Steven Hoeksema, and Emily Hoeksema; fourteen great grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gene Vredeveld, Harvey and Jo Vredeveld and Joyce and Richard Stienstra; many nephews and nieces; special friends, Clarence and Betty Schipper; and many others. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, 1571 Baldwin Street, Jenison, with Rev. Leonard Kuyvenhoven officiating. Interment at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family at church from 1:00-2:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Spectrum Health Hospice or Sunset Legacy Foundation.