Morley Byxbe

Morley Ben Byxbe, age 88, died peacefully on the morning of February 20, 2015 at Appledorn Living Center.

He was a WWII veteran of the US Navy and his service took him to the beaches of Normandy and later to the Pacific Theater. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church for over 39 years. Morley measured the success of his life not in monetary terms but in the number of friendships that he developed. An avid golfer he was proud of the fact that he had a hole in one and enjoyed wintering in Florida so he could golf year-round. Morley was very artistically talented and has received many awards for his works. One of those talents was creating stained glass art and he created windows for the Nativity Church in Boyne City where he and his wife Sally lived for a number of years. His family remembers him as a humble, hard-working and honest husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was preceded in death by his brothers Clarence and Irvin Byxbe, a son-in-law Charles McLanis and brother-in-law Bill DeJonge.

He was lovingly cared for by his wife Sally of 40 years and children: Lola McLanis of Grand Rapids, Carol and Ken Bordua of Grand Haven, Michael Byxbe of Truckee, CA, Tom and Pat Brower of Zeeland, Steve and Deb Byxbe of Grand Rapids, Kathleen and Steve Harbour of Alpine, CA, Thom Byxbe of Detroit, Lynn and Richard Gibson of Ferrysburg, Gail and Scott Meadowcroft of Holland; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Grace Episcopal Church 555 Michigan Ave. in Holland with the Reverend Jennifer Adams officiating. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens at a later date.

Visitation will be from 3:00 – 4:00 pm prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland. Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com