Robert "Bob" Barkema

ROBERT H. (Bob) BARKEMA died peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct 13. Bob was born November 30, 1922 to Henry and E. Margaret (Dalman) Barkema in Grand Rapids, MI. Due to the economy, Bob's formative years were spent living in Grand Rapids, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina and Holland. Bob graduated from Holland High School, then earned a B.A. degree in Business from accumulative study at Hope College, Texas A &M and Michigan State Universities. Bob received his Officer's Commission in the US Army during WWII where he served from 1942 to 1946 in the Infantry and Artillery division. Towards war's end Bob became a part of closing German POW camps. Upon returning from the war, Bob married Ellen Jane Kooiker on July 6, 1946 and after living in both Cadillac and Grand Haven, settled again in Holland in 1955. Bob was employed in sales and marketing management with Swift and Co., a wholesale meat distributor and packaging company for 32 years. He then was employed part time with Keller Equipment and became a landlord during his early retirement years. During Bob's community life he served on many organized boards including chairman of Holland Zoning Board of Appeals, Herrick Library Board and committees for the airport study council along with the Apple Avenue annexation and many Hope College fundraising events. Bob was a long-time member of Third Reformed Church where he served many years as a Deacon and on the Building and Grounds Committee. Later Bob became a member of Maranatha and Central Avenue church(s). Bob married Fern Petroelje in 1986 and they enjoyed traveling, golf, reading and grand children in their retirement years. Bob's favorite pastime was golf and as a youngster, Bob worked as a caddy at Holland Country Club where many years later he would became a member. Bob was a member of the American Legion, Holland Tennis Club and member/volunteer at Evergreen Commons. Along with golf, Bob enjoyed puttering outside, bowling, tennis, photography, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, boating, square dancing, reading, bridge, traveling and daily walks. Bob was preceded in death by first wife Ellen Jane (Kooiker) in 1985, his parents, a brother and sister in law Harvey and Mary Barkema, a brother-in-law, Barney Shaw. Surviving family members are Bob's wife, Fern, children, Karen (Tom) Buyarski, Wallace MI Rob (Sandy) Barkema, Holland MI Step children, Pam (Bert) Davis, Pendleton IN Cindy (Mike) Eidem, Shorewood MN Grandchildren Joshua Buyarski, Green Bay WI Courtney (Mike) Klitzke, Menominee MI Branden (Kim) Barkema, Spring Lake MI Marissa Barkema, Holland MI Step grandchildren, Allison (Adam) Johnson, Portland OR Leon Davis, Pendleton IN Michael Eidem, Berkeley CA Elisabeth, Chicago IL Matthew Eidem, Shorewood, MN Great-grandson Beau Klitzke. Ruth Shaw of Manitwoc WI is Bob's surviving sister along with several nephews, nieces and in-laws. Thank you to all of Bob's caregivers during the last 3 years at Heritage and Appledorn. Special thanks for Bob's cousin Webb Dalman for all the times he took Bob to the mens coffee group and many other kindnesses shown to Bob after his stroke. Funeral services with military honors will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2015 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland with Rev. James H. Scholten officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, October 15, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Hospice of Holland or to your local Veterans chapter. www.langelandsterenberg.com.

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Robert "Bob" Barkema

November 30, 1922 - October 13, 2015