Joseph "Joey" Glen Hekkema's Obituary
After a lifelong illness, Joseph “Joey” Glen Hekkema, age 16, passed away on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital with his family and dogs at his side. Joey was diagnosed at 9 months of age with chronic neutropenia and at 2 years of age with hyper IGM syndrome. On May 29, 2013, Joey underwent a bone marrow transplant and suffered complications from a virus. Joey was a junior at Mona Shores High School and a drummer in the Mona Shores Band. He was also a member of the Team Wavelengths Robotics Club. Prior to Joey’s transplant, he was a volunteer at Pound Buddies. Joey is survived by his parents, David and Ruth Hekkema; his sister, Meredith Hekkema and his dogs, Smidgen and Schultzie. Also surviving are his paternal grandmother, Mary Jean Rostar and maternal grandparents, Richard and Delores Klamfoth, both of Muskegon; aunts and uncles, Michele (Charles) Dodge of Wichita Falls, TX, Mark (Stefanie) Hekkema of Muskegon, Joseph Klamfoth of Suisan City, CA, Edward Klamfoth of Newnan, GA, Anne (Daniel) Bitzer of Otsego, MI, Richard (Katherine) Klamfoth of Senoia, GA, and William (Ashley) Klamfoth of Lumberton, TX; cousins, Stephanie, Melissa, Zoe, Anthony, Nicholas, Audrey, Aaron, Alex, Evan, and Carson; and dear friends, Becky Council, Michele Koeller, Alex, Tyler and Travis. Joey was preceded in death by his aunt, Mary Prentice. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Matthew J. Barnum as celebrant. INTERMENT will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. VISITATION will be held 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM Tuesday at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey Street, (231) 798-1100. The Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 PM Tuesday evening. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the Mass, 10-11 AM Wednesday at the church. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to Pound Buddies or The Joey Hekkema Mona Shores Band Memorial Scholarship. Sign the guestbook on-line at www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?
