Carl Bussema

The Lord called him to his eternal home on June 27, 2019. Carl was born May 20, 1924 in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of Cornelius and Martha Bussema and lived in Kalamazoo for most his life. Carl sacrificed 3 years serving in the Anti-Aircraft division of the Army during World War II. Upon returning after the war, he married Eleanor VanderWeele on September 27, 1946. Carl was self-employed as a contractor. He then worked at Western Michigan University as a contractor and became an avid Broncos fan. He was also a dedicated Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, and loved cheering his team to victory. Carl and Eleanor were life-long members of Third Reformed Church now known as Centerpoint. They were very involved in their church and Carl frequently was a consistory member and often served as president. He also taught Sunday School and Catechism. Carl used his physical strength and skills at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. He also led the worship services at the Mission and several nursing homes on Sunday afternoons. Carl, along with his wife Eleanor, volunteered at Camp Geneva since 1986 and for Wycliff Bible Translators in North Carolina. Alan Carl Bussema, his only son preceded Carl's death in 2015, leaving a very beloved family of Janeen, Alan's wife, Lisa (Jeremy) Kuiper, and also Kevin (Tara) Bussema. Carl also had 2 daughters, Mary Anne (Richard) Wolthuis of Seneca, SC, and Karen Marie (David) Claus of Ada, MI; 8 grandchildren, Bradley and Cindy Wolthuis, Daniel and Julie Wolthuis, Emily and (Mike Bradshaw), Lisa and (Jeremy Kuiper), Kevin and (Tara) Bussema, William, Adam and Laura Wolff/Claus, and Dan (Grace) Claus; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Donald Paulsen and Louis Drenth, both of Kalamazoo, Robert and Mary Jane VanderWeele of Portage; and several nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor (VanderWeele) Bussema; his parents; brothers, John Bussema, and Bill Bussema; sisters, Josephine Knapper and Annajean Paulson. The family will receive friends Monday, July 1 from 10-11:00 AM at Centerpoint Church, 2345 N 10th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with the Rev. Dan Claus and Rev. Dar VanderWal officiating. Private interment in Grand Prairie Cemetery with military honors presented by Otsego VFW Post 3030 and the US Army. Contributions in Carl's memory may be made to Holland Home of Grand Rapids or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Holland Home for the excellent and loving care provided to Carl. Please visit Carl's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com.