George A. Schaalma's Obituary
George A. Schaalma, age 81, passed away early Tuesday morning after a short battle with Thymus cancer. He was born in Muskegon, MI as the 6th child of Jacob and Clara (Zuidema) Schaalma. George was a member of Fruitport Congregational Church and also a member of the former Olivet Reformed Church. He really missed his ‘Olivet family’ and the life-long friends that were made there. After high school, he entered the U.S. Air Force and completed his 4 years of service. He married Carol VanderJagt, also of Muskegon, on November 12, 1965. George graduated from Muskegon High school and continued his education at MCC and then later at Western Michigan University to complete his business degree in 1969. His first job as a corporate buyer for Cooper Tire brought George and Carol to Findley, Ohio where they lived for 9 years. Wanting to move closer to family and friends, he later accepted a job in Owosso, MI at Universal Electric, where they lived for 5 years. Because of the death of his eldest brother Harold, they moved back to Muskegon to run the family business, Hagstrom Floor Sanding. After retirement, George spent time working many sporting events at Fruitport High School where he became known as the guy that marks the kids’ hand with a smiley face for admittance, instead of just a mark. He loved getting to know the kids and joking around with everybody. George was an avid college football fan (Go Michigan!). During his life, he enjoyed fishing, boating, traveling, golf, and just about anything that involved socializing with friends and family. He also took a liking to feeding the birds; spending many evenings on the back porch swing enjoying them. He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Sandra (Brian) Murphy; grandchildren: Kayla (Luis) Juarez, James North, and Keigan Murphy; great-grandchildren: Adalynn, Loa, and Theo Juarez and Ezra North (he really loved those greats! Often seen laying on the floor playing with them just like a kid himself); and brother, Steven Schaalma. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sisters: Dorothy Pulsifer and Betty Klootwyk; and 3 brothers: Harold, John, and Ken Schaalma. A memorial service for George will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Fruitport Congregational Church (9 N. 8th Ave., Fruitport, MI 49415). Masks will be required for those not vaccinated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Harbor Hospice Foundation or Fruitport Congregational church. Share memories with the family at their On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100
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