Gerald E. "Jerry" Heykoop's Obituary
Mr. Gerald E. “Jerry” Heykoop, age 81 died Monday evening, December 31, 2007, at Mercy Hospital following a short illness. He was born May 7, 1926 in Shelby Twp., MI to Leonard & Minnie (TenBrink) Heykoop; and had resided in the Muskegon area most of his life. Immediately following high school graduation, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WW II as a Radio Man. On October 13, 1950 he married the former Betty J. Zuidema and she preceded him in death, on May 16, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his infant daughter, Bonnie. Together, Jerry and Betty started and owned White Lake Electronics, a Radio Shack franchise for 12 years prior to his retirement in 1992. He was a member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church and had volunteered as a board member and usher for the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts for many years. Jerry was also an Amateur Radio Operator (W8EHO) and loved organic gardening.SURVIVORS include 4 children, Ken Heykoop of Thailand, Sally (Dave) Wagenmaker of Muskegon, Peggy (Kelly) Drake of North Muskegon and Terry (Leanne) Heykoop of Fremont; 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; 1brother, Louis (Donna) Heykoop of New Era and by 2 sisters, Wilma Vannette of Holland and Carol (Ed) Wiers of Marne. SERVICES will be 10 AM Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Bethany Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. David Sieplinga officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery. VISITATION with Jerry’s family will be 5-8 PM Friday at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 737 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 (231-726-5210). MEMORIAL GIFTS may be made to the Endowment Funds of Muskegon Christian School or Western Michigan Christian High School or to Harbor Hospice.
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