Isaac C. "Ike" Vander Jagt's Obituary
Mr. Isaac Cornelius “Ike” Vander Jagt, age 93, passed away Sunday evening, July 25, 2010. He was born May 12, 1917 in Sullivan Twp., MI to John and Wilhelmina (Van Sluys) Vander Jagt. Ike was a decorated U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. He worked for Sealed Power Corporation for 34 years before retiring in 1979. On April 29, 1942 he married June Edna Perry in Monterey, CA at Fort Ord, and she preceded him in death on May 16, 2010 after 68 years of marriage. Mr. Vander Jagt was a devoted and active member of Word of Hope Church, where he served as an Elder, Deacon, pianist, and organist. He made DeColores En Cristo weekend 202, which profoundly impacted him. Ike was an inventor, enjoyed taking trips with his family, and liked to teach and share his experiences and knowledge with others. When he turned 50, he received his private pilot license and enjoyed taking people who had never flown before for rides. He was a member of the West Michigan Flying Club. Mr. Vander Jagt also spent 40 years researching and writing his book “Adam & Eve and Archeology”, a book that links science with Christianity. SURVIVORS include 5 children, Penelope “Penny” Workman, Melody (Don) Stressman, Amber (Gregg) Garrow all of Muskegon, Holly (Mark) Goelz of Fennville, Ross (Angie) Vander Jagt of Fruitport; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren, the last of which is his namesake, Isaac; 6 great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Clarence (Nancy) Perry; sister-in-law, Annie Vander Jagt; former sister-in-law, Rosie Vander Jagt; and many nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Gene Workman; 2 grandchildren, Breanna Stressman and Gene Workman, Jr.; 6 brothers, Neil, Clarence, Gillis, Jim, Ed, and Leonard; and 2 sisters, Nellie and Avina. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Thursday at Word of Hope Church (284 N. 3rd Ave., Fruitport) with Rev. John Koedyker and Rev. James Bos officiating. VISITATION with the family will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Wednesday at The Sytsema Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210. Burial will take place in Fruitport Cemetery. MEMORIALS to the Word of Hope Church Sunday School Scholarship Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association will be appreciated.
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