Elmer John Tjapkes' Obituary
Mr. Elmer John Tjapkes, age 87, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016 in Muskegon. He was born in Muskegon on November 18, 1928 to Garrett and Jeanette (Holwerda) Tjapkes and was a life-long resident of the area. Elmer had been employed by Consumers Power for 40 years before his retirement in 1987. While there, he became a certified electrician. Elmer was a veteran of the United States Navy Reserves. He had also previously owned a blueberry farm and a tree farm. Elmer enjoyed horticulture, golfing, shuffleboard, square dancing, traveling and biking. He was a charter member of Fruitport Christian Reformed Church and served several terms on the Fruitport Village Council. On June 24, 1947, Elmer married the former Esther L. Kooi in Muskegon and she survives him along with four children, Bonnie VanHall, Sandra (Norman) Heerema, Barbara (Donald) Duffey and Paul (Becky) Tjapkes; former daughter-in-law, Valeria Domanais; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Frances Jones and Carol (Jake) Swierenga. He was preceded in death by one son, Stanley Tjapkes; his parents and two sisters, Helen Miles and Nell Mae Kline. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Monday, July 25, 2016 at Fruitport Christian Reformed Church (3520 Pontaluna Road) with Rev. Gerald Postema officiating. VISITATION will be from 2-4 PM Sunday, July 24, 2016 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100. Burial will be in Fruitport Cemetery. Donations may be directed to the Elmer Tjapkes Memorial Fund at Fruitport CRC.
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