Thomas John Bultema's Obituary
Mr. Thomas John Bultema, age 61, loving husband, father, son and brother, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 1, 2016. He was born in Manistee, Michigan on September 7, 1955 to John and Elizabeth “Bette” (Rosema) Bultema. Tom graduated from Mona Shores High School in 1974 and from Albion College in 1979, where he earned a degree in Economics and Management. He held various sales and management positions with Granger Industrial Supply, Action Industrial Supply, and Reid Tool/Essentra Components. Tom was devoted to his family and always put them first. He was a life-long member of Berean Church, where he served on the Board, and he was a volunteer at the VFW Post #3195. Tom spent many years as a coach with the Sailor Select Soccer Program. He loved to read, was an avid skier, and was a loyal and hopeful Detroit Lions fan. Tom will be remembered for his generosity, compassion, and willingness to put others’ needs before his own. On December 29, 1979, he married the former Christine L. Heneveld in Muskegon, and she survives him along with their three children, Thomas John Bultema, II, and twins, Kaitlyn “Katie” Marie Bultema and Benjamin Taylor Bultema; his father, John Bultema Sr.; two brothers, Jim (Renata) Bultema and Paul Bultema; five sisters, Barbara Pennell, Mary Beth (Bill) Kennedy, Ayne Bultema, Elizabeth “Liz” (Tim) Horgan, Carol (Bruce) Lagerman; sister-in-law, Debi Bultema and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth “Bette” Bultema; brother, John Bultema, II; father and mother-in-law, Dr. Robert and Louise Heneveld; brother-in-law, Daye Pennell; and his beloved dog, Cola Bird Bultema. SERVICES will be 1:00 PM Monday, November 7, 2016 at Berean Church (635 Seminole Road, Norton Shores 49441) with Dr. Robert N. Renberg, Jr. officiating. VISITATION will be from 3-7:00 PM Sunday, November 6, 2016 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100. MEMORIALS in Tom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.act.alz.org), in memory of his Mother, Bette Bultema.
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