Chester Jay VanHaitsma Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Chester Jay VanHaitsma, of McBain, went home to be with his lord on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at Cadillac Mercy Hospital. He was 71. He was born in Reeder Township, Missaukee County, on Jan. 20, 1940, to Charles and Freda (Borgman) VanHaitsma. He married Rose Koolstra on Dec. 23, 1960, at the Vogel Center Christian Reformed Church. He received his bachelor\'s of science degree and a master\'s degree in history. He taught in Houghton Lake, California, Marion and retired from the McBain Public High School in June 1999. He was a member of the Calvin Christian Reformed Church, where he had been very active and had taught the Adult Sunday School. He was also on the Home Mission board at the Church. He did volunteer work for Friend\'s Ministry, Senior Care and the Friendship Family Home. He coached basketball, enjoyed reading and his yard maintenance business. He enjoyed his family and friends. He was also involved with the Light House Cafe at the Lake City Christian Reformed Church. He is survived by his wife, Rose of McBain; children, Kenneth (Dawn) VanHaitsma of Dyer, Ind., Karl VanHaitsma of McBain, Karen Schepers of Nampa, Idaho; grandchildren, Tim (Nichole) Schepers of Dell City, Okla., Lindsay (Kevin) Grove of Crown Point, Ind., Kenny Jr. (Jen) VanHaitsma of Dyer, Ind., A.J. Van Haitsma of Dyer, Ind.,; great-granddaughter Tianna Schepers; siblings, Willard (Eleanor) VanHaitsma of McBain, Joyce (Jud) Walbrink of Zeeland, Helen VanHaitsma of McBain, Gordon (Joyce) VanHaitsma of Grand Rapids, Jim (Barb) VanHaitsma of McBain; in-laws, Nelva (Harvey) Wolters of Zeeland, Donald (Hazel) Stolte of Little Rock, Ark., Bernice Koolstra of Lake City, Martin Koolstra of McBain, and Dave (Deb) Koolstra of Falmouth; and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald VanHaitsma, and his parents. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, at the Vogel Center Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Ken Koning. Burial will be at the Riverside Township Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at the Burkholder Funeral Home in McBain. Memorial contributions can be made to Care Net of Cadillac. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com

Chester Jay VanHaitsma

January 20, 1940 - January 6, 2012