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David Kortman

August 29, 1957 - January 17, 2013
Otsego, MI

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Service

Sunday, January 20, 2013
5:00 PM EST
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
280 Starr Rd
Plainwell, MI 49080

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
280 Starr Rd.
Plaiwnell, MI 49080
Web Site

Wings of Hope Hospice
530 Linn Street, Suite A
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 686-8659
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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David Kortman was a kindhearted, sometimes irritating, but always lovable man. He had a great sense of humor, and always had a one liner or joke on hand to make people laugh – in fact, it was said more than once that he should have been a comedian! Although David found a friend in everyone he met, the most important people in his life were his beloved family – his wife, children, and grandchildren – and he enjoyed being surrounded by those he loved.

The 1950s were a time of peace and prosperity in the United States, the decade of the post-World War II “baby boomer” generation. David was born towards the end of this decade, on August 29, 1957 – the year of the first laser, the opening of the Mackinac Bridge, and Dwight Eisenhower’s second inuaguration. The oldest in the family, David was the first child of proud parents Harris and Joyce (DeRidder) Kortman. In the years to come, David would become an older brother to siblings Cal, Lafon, Renee, and Mark. The Kortman family lived in Holland, Michigan, where Harris worked for Holland Christian Schools for thirty years.

David started school at Holland Christian, and then went on to West Ottawa High School. While at Holland Christian he made particularly good buddies with Mark Dehaan, Tom and Bill Langejans, and Bob Mulenhouse, who have remained friends with David to this day. In addition to his classes, David also found time to play in the high school band. His love of music would be lifelong, but his preferred genre soon changed from marching songs to the music of the late 60s and early 70s (Boston was his favorite band).

After graduation from West Ottawa High in 1976, David worked several part- and full-time jobs. Over the years, his job titles included manufacturing, forklift driver, heat treat operator, appraiser and, his favorite, auctioneer for Red Barn Auction Service. When he was 25 years old, David married Joy Merrill and settled down in Allegan, Michigan. Although their marriage would ultimately end in divorce, David was blessed with two sons, Eric and Kevin. He was delighted to be a father, and loved spending time with his boys.

David’s life took on new meaning in his thirties, when he started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He joined the Allegan congregation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and was baptized on July 21, 1990. David volunteered his time in the Christian ministry work.

In 1997, David met the love of his life, Lori, through the Kingdom Hall in Allegan. Their first date was at an Outback Steakhouse in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the rest is history. The happy couple was married on October 10, 1997, at a courthouse in Allegan. David and Lori lived for several years in Allegan, where David was a realtor with Century 21. They moved to Otsego in 2006 where they they settled in their present home. David and Lori both loved animals and enjoyed their pets which included dogs, cats, and even a horse.

In his free time, David enjoyed fishing, backgammon, and flying radio-controlled airplanes. He was also an avid race fan, and his pride and joy was a 1966 Chevy Malibu that he had restored himself. David and Lori shared a love of antiquing, and enjoyed searching for treasures together. One of their favorite vacation spots was his parents’ cottage near Pentwater, where they would search all the local antique shops for buttons as Lori was an avid button collector.

In recent years, David has become a proud grandfather to three wonderful grandchildren. Family was very important to David, and he was never happier than when spending time with his nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Funny, outgoing, and warmhearted, David was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a loyal friend, and an active Jehovah’s Witness. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

David L. Kortman died on January 17, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 55. David’s family includes his wife of 15 years, Lori; his children, Eric (Michelle Beene) Kortman and Kevin (Joleen German) Kortman; his grandchildren, Tera, Killian, and Eli; his parents, Harris and Joyce Kortman; his siblings, Cal (Julie) Kortman, Lafon Kortman, Renee (Jim) Kolean, and Mark (Sarah) Kortman.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (280 Starr Rd Plainwell, MI). Memorial donations may be made to The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society or Wings of Hope Hospice House in Allegan. Please visit David’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.

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