Benjamin Tennis Balkema, age 88, of Grand Rapids went to be with his Lord on December 27, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his son, Bradford Steven Balkema; mother, Ollie Wood Balkema; father, Benjamin T. Balkema; twin sister, Gloria Goldammer; and brother, Grant W. Balkema.
Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Balkema; sons, Brent Balkema and Blake (Karen) Balkema; grandchildren, Brandi Balkema, Lacy (Steve) Niedzwiecki, Cody Balkema (Jessie Johnson), Nolan Balkema, Ryan Balkema; and five great-grandchildren.
Ben graduated from Central High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and practiced optometry for 60 years. He was an avid golfer and reader.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 2-5 PM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE. A time of remembrance will be at 4:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Monday, December 29, 2014
He was preceded in death by his son, Bradford Steven Balkema; mother, Ollie Wood Balkema; father, Benjamin T. Balkema; twin sister, Gloria Goldammer; and brother, Grant W. Balkema.
Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Balkema; sons, Brent Balkema and Blake (Karen) Balkema; grandchildren, Brandi Balkema, Lacy (Steve) Niedzwiecki, Cody Balkema (Jessie Johnson), Nolan Balkema, Ryan Balkema; and five great-grandchildren.
Ben graduated from Central High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and practiced optometry for 60 years. He was an avid golfer and reader.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 2-5 PM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE. A time of remembrance will be at 4:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Monday, December 29, 2014
Benjamin Tennis Balkema, age 88, of Grand Rapids went to be with his Lord on December 27, 2014.
He was preceded in death by his son, Bradford Steven Balkema; mother, Ollie Wood Balkema; father, Benjamin T. Balkema; twin sister, Gloria Goldammer; and brother, Grant W. Balkema.
Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Balkema; sons, Brent Balkema and Blake (Karen) Balkema; grandchildren, Brandi Balkema, Lacy (Steve) Niedzwiecki, Cody Balkema (Jessie Johnson), Nolan Balkema, Ryan Balkema; and five great-grandchildren.
Ben graduated from Central High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and practiced optometry for 60 years. He was an avid golfer and reader.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 2-5 PM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE. A time of remembrance will be at 4:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Monday, December 29, 2014
He was preceded in death by his son, Bradford Steven Balkema; mother, Ollie Wood Balkema; father, Benjamin T. Balkema; twin sister, Gloria Goldammer; and brother, Grant W. Balkema.
Ben is survived by his wife, Mary Balkema; sons, Brent Balkema and Blake (Karen) Balkema; grandchildren, Brandi Balkema, Lacy (Steve) Niedzwiecki, Cody Balkema (Jessie Johnson), Nolan Balkema, Ryan Balkema; and five great-grandchildren.
Ben graduated from Central High School before serving his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry and practiced optometry for 60 years. He was an avid golfer and reader.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 2-5 PM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE. A time of remembrance will be at 4:30 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Monday, December 29, 2014
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