Donald Jay Rypma's Obituary
Donald “Don” Rypma, age 91, of Whitehall passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021. He was born on August 11, 1930, in a farm house in Allendale to Harm and Anna (VanSpronsen) Rypma. He grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids and graduated from West Side Christian School in 1945 and Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1949. On February 22, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Kuizema, in Grand Rapids. Don owned and operated a Sunoco service station on the southwest corner of Lake Michigan Drive and Collindale in Grand Rapids from 1953-1962 and then opened Rypma Auto Sales, a used car dealership in downtown Grand Rapids. Having always wanted to own a new car dealership, Don purchased Carpenter Chevrolet & Oldsmobile, Inc. in Whitehall on February 14, 1970 and opened Don Rypma Chevrolet & Oldsmobile, Inc. In 2004, he added Buick, GMC & Pontiac. The dealership currently operates as Don Rypma Chevrolet, Buick & GMC, Inc. At the time of Don’s passing, he owned and operated the dealership with his sons Harlan Rypma and David Rypma, having celebrated 51 years of business in February, 2021.
Don attended Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids for many years, as well as First Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon, and more recently Ferry Memorial Reformed Church in Montague, having served in these churches as both a deacon and elder over the years. Don served as a board member for the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association and was a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, Whitehall-Montague Rotary Club, the Eagles, as well as many other local organizations.
Don loved boating and spent many summers with Jeanne on their boat traversing the waters of Lake Michigan and spending numerous nights on their boat on Mackinac Island, Harbor Springs, Frankfort, Onekama and Pentwater. As recently as this past 4th of July, Don had his boat out in Lake Michigan and spent the holiday anchored with family and friends. Don’s other hobbies included flying, hunting, fishing, traveling in his motorhome and traveling abroad, including trips to Israel, China, Germany, Peru, Australia, Panama Canal, South Africa and Cuba (just three years ago), and spending his winters in Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jeanne; six children: Esther (Geoff) Day, Jill (Steve) Sikkenga, Harlan (Donna) Rypma, David (Lyn) Rypma, Virginia (Kent) Weesies, and Curtis (Kim) Rypma; sixteen grandchildren: Justin Day, Morgan (Allie) Day, Michael (Ericka) Sikkenga, Sarah (Brian) Balon, Anna (Casey) O’Neill, Rosalie Rapas, Daniel (Beth) Rypma, Kevin Rypma, Elizabeth (Chris) Rypma-Wendt, Katie (Nick) Bultema, Kelly (Andy) Hoezee, Dexter (Amy) Weesies, Kendra (Nick) VanAndel, Conner Rypma, Colin (Rachel) Rypma, and Kayce Rypma; and many great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Tena) Hamming; and step-sister, Joanne (Chris) Sonneveldt. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anne “Geraldine” Slagter.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 31, 2021, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey Street, Norton Shores, MI 49444. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday, December 30, 2021, and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Don may be given to West Michigan Christian Education Collaborative (West Michigan CEC, ATTN: Dan DeKam, 1279 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442) or West Side Christian School. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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