Mr. Marshall Henry "Marsh" Balkema's Obituary
Marshall Henry “Marsh” Balkema passed away on Sunday December 8, 2013. He was 84 years old. Marshall was born on March 16, 1929 to Henry and Ida Balkema. He worked many jobs over the course of his life including farming and Fisher Brothers Nursery; however most of his career was spent as a truck driver until his retirement in the mid 1980’s. He was blessed during his life with 5 children of his own and 5 step-children. In 1985 he married the former Sandra Schultz. Marsh loved the Detroit Tigers, fishing, hunting, camping, a game of horseshoes and being with his family. He was an outgoing man with the gift of gab. Marshall was a member of the Muskegon Heights Eagles Lodge 491 and the Muskegon Moose Lodge. He was a caring, strong-willed, loving individual who will be deeply missed. SURVIVORS include his wife, Sandra; children, Michael (Kathy) Balkema, Janice (Jim) Higginson, Martin (Diane) Balkema, Mary Ann (Art) Caswell, and Marshall Balkema Jr; 5 step-children, Kimberly (Terry) Plummer, Tracey (Jim) Anderson, Lorey (Rob) Montgomery, Michael Hughes and Dan (Debbie) Hughes; 17 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold Balkema; sisters, Bertha Seaver and Marion Deyoung; and step-son Tony Schultz. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held on Friday December 13, 2013 at 1pm at The Lee Chapel 6291 S. Harvey St 231-798-1100 with Rev. Robert Conradt officiating. VISITATION will be held 2 hours prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Salvation Army.
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