Mrs. Barbara L. Start's Obituary
Mrs. Barbara L. Start, 77, passed away Monday morning, September 22, in Muskegon. She was born October 26, 1936 to Oren and Maryette (Hamm) Ruiter in Muskegon, and was a lifelong resident. Barb was a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon. First and foremost she loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends. Barb was employed for many years at Executive Air Transport in Muskegon, Tulip City Air Service in Holland, and Horizon Group Properties in Muskegon, from where she retired in October of 2007. On April 27, 1956 Barb married James A. (Jim) Start in Muskegon, and he survives her along with 3 children, Cynthia (Michael) McCarthy of Spring Lake, Gregory (Margaret) Start of Muskegon, Debbie Start, and son Sam Kondracki of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ryan (Abbie Lyles) McCarthy, Jason (Ashley) McCarthy, Megan McCarthy, Kyle (Bridget) Start, James (Emily) Start, Erika Start; 2 great-grandchildren, Makenlie and Michael McCarthy; half-sister, Lois (Hirochika) Komai of Madison, WI; also many wonderful nieces and nephews whom she was very close to; and cherished friends whom she dearly loved. Barb was preceded in death by her parents; sisters and husbands, Beverly and Justin Harkema, and their daughter Patsy Harkema; Betty and Richard Harkema, and their daughter Faye (Harkema) Bollenbach; and half-brother, Dr. John Dale Piersma. The memorial service for Barb will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 937 W. Norton Ave., with Rev. Ken Havert and Rev. Bernie Mulder officiating. Visitation at The Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, 49442, (231) 726-5210, will be from 5-8 PM Wednesday, and 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Barb’s memory may be made to Mississippi Christian Family Services in Rolling Fork, MS, or Western Michigan Christian High School.
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