Gerald Tillema

Gerald Tillema of Holland Michigan died Saturday November 22, 2014 at the age of 96.

He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Cornelia (Musser) Tillema, whom he married on August 22, 1940 in Kalamazoo Mi. He was born on December 18, 1917 in Kalamazoo Mi. the son of the late Ike and Mina (Sootsma) Tillema. Gerald graduated from Portage High School. He was employed by Michigan Bell Telephone Co. for 44 years, retiring in 1980 where he had been a district manager of engineering. Gerald was a member of the Third Reformed Church of Holland Mi. Gerald was an avid golfer, gardener, and sports enthusiast. After his retirement he was involved in several volunteer activities. Among those he sat on the council of Evergreen Commons Senior Citizen Complex. He assisted seniors from the Adult Day Care Center with insurance, taxes and estate questions. He was active in city and local political campaigning and the Holland City Cable TV Advisory Commission

In addition to his wife, Cornelia, he is survived by four children, Peggy (Ted) Trimble, of Ann Arbor, James (Linda) Tillema of Tucson, Arizona, Mary (Tom) Zmolek of North Muskegon, and Anne Tillema Slachta of Holland. In addition he is survived by seven grandchildren, Allison Miller, Randee Trimble, Sara Verburg, Kate Jackson, Laura Zmolek, Emma Slachta and Stephen Slachta; seven great grandchildren, Paul, Christopher and Margaret Miller, Ani Verburg, Max, Conrad and Evie Jackson; his sisters Hilda Zwaagman and Henrietta Griffeon; Brothers Don (Eleanor) Tillema and Jay (Beverly) Tillema. He was predeceased by his parents, Ike and Mina Tillema, infant brother Jacob, and brothers-in –law Bud Zwaagman and Hank Griffeon.

Visitation will take place Tues., November 25 from 4 till 7PM at the Mulder Chapel,Dykstra Funeral Home 188 W. 32nd Street Holland, Mi. A memorial service will take place Wednesday November 26 at 11 AM at Third Reformed Church 111 W 13th Street Holland, Mi. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Western Theological Seminary 101 E 13th Street or Third Reformed Church or Hospice of Holland. A private burial will occur at a later date. For more information please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com