James J. "Butch" Berkel's Obituary
Mr. James J. Berkel II, age 65, passed away unexpectedly at home Thursday morning. He was born in Muskegon on October, 3, 1944 to James J. and Shirley L. (Peterson) Berkel and was a 1962 graduate of Muskegon Heights H.S. Following graduation, Butch served 6 yrs in the Michigan National Guard and married the former, D. Elaine Leonard in Muskegon on February 18, 1967. Mr. Berkel retired from C.W.C. Textron in 1993 where he was a camshaft operator. Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman with a passion for walleye fishing and was a member and former board member of the Muskegon Sportfishing Association. Whether it was with his beloved Weimaraner’s, Remmie and Bandit, hunting up north or fishing on Lake Erie it was a time well spent with friends and family that made it special. Jim is survived by his: wife, Elaine; son, Brent (Susan) Berkel of Ludington; daughter, Lezleigh (Brandon) Gunia of Muskegon; two grandchildren, Kody and Masyn Berkel; mother, Shirley Berkel of Muskegon and two sisters, Deanna DeWitt of N. Muskegon and Denise (Tim) VandenBosch of Grand Haven. The funeral service will be held at:
The Lee Chapel
Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.
6291 S. Harvey St.
231-798-1100
11:00 A.M., Monday, Rev. Dr. Gerald Wahr officiating. Visitation: Sunday, 2-4 & 6-8. Memorial: Muskegon Sportfishing Association.
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