Steven Sonnema

Steven Sonnema, of Grandville, passed from this life on Saturday, July 8, 2017, ending his long battle with cancer and is safely now in the arms of Jesus.  He will be sorely missed by his wife, Nancy (Borduin); his beloved children and grandchildren, Russell Steven Sonnema of Grandville and his son, Ethan Ginegaw-Sonnema of NJ, Jeffrey David and Katie (Steiginga) Sonnema and their sons, Brendan and Adam of Grandville; daughter, Jillian Christine (Sonnema) and Michael Miller and their sons, Benjamin, Seth, Joshua, and Elijah of IN.  Steve fought the good fight for 8 years and gave such inspiration to thousands of people who have prayed for him around the world.  We called him Superman, and he was. Time and again he rose above the odds with God’s grace and he became an example of Christ’s love and faithfulness.  Now he is free from pain and experiencing God’s full joy.  Steve was a member of Covenant Christian Reformed Church in North Haledon, NJ where with his wife, he led the Primetimers group until moving to Michigan.  There he became a member of First Reformed Church in Grandville.  The people in both churches got to know and love him, but mostly these last years he was blessed with their prayers and encouragement in his long fight with cancer.  Steve worked as a tile contractor from the time he graduated Eastern Christian High School.  He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy, in November of 1973.  After helping his father-in-law, Hubert Borduin, as a produce helper, Steve got the trucking bug and began his own business, Sonnema Trucking Inc.  He owned that for over 25 years.  He taught his young sons to drive a truck by the time they were 12 years old.  Steve and Nancy moved to Michigan in 2004, when their daughter, Jillian and husband Mike Miller transferred there.  Steve and Nancy worked together setting up the new remodel business under the name, Sonnema Tile and Design.  Their son, Jeff, joined them in 2007 in Michigan, and worked together until Steve was diagnosed with cancer in 2009.  Jeff worked the business on his own until Russ came to help in 2013.  Steve was able to ride along and get to know clients.  He was everyone’s hero once they heard his story of perseverance, determination and faith.  The best part of Steve was his love for his Lord and his family.  He adored his children and 7 grandsons.  He was always up for a game of Hide and Seek; they all loved every minute of it, but we think Steve loved it the most.  They will miss him greatly.  Steve’s life was blessed with miracles. He experienced some of the most extraordinary God-moments before and during his illness.  We know God had a plan for him. Perhaps even now his story is touching a life somewhere.  God is a God of grace and sometimes that grace is best shown in struggles of the faithful.  Steve is now home and finished with the pain and suffering.  He is rejoicing with Jesus. Funeral services will be held Friday 10:30 am at First Reformed Church of Grandville, 3060 Wilson SW, Grandville, with Rev. Bud Pratt officiating.  Interment Blendon Township Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to First Reformed Church of Grandville in memory of Steven.