Richard Cleveringa

Richard "Dick" J. Cleveringa, age 97, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away Thursday, February 22, 2007, in Florida. He was born to John and Blanche (Doddington) Cleveringa in Spring Lake on July 10, 1909. He later moved to Muskegon, where he lived for 48 years prior to moving to Florida 30 years ago to spend his retirement years. Mr. Cleveringa was employed at Lift Tech, formerly Shaw Crane, in Muskegon Heights for over 35 years and was a member of their Quarter Century Club. He loved to sing, play his ukulele, harmonica, and guitar. He was a Charter member of East Lawn Reformed Church in Muskegon and a current member of Bayshore Garden Community Church of Bradenton, FL. He also supported the Robert Schuler Ministries for many years. He married Margaret Workman in 1928 in Muskegon. Together they had 3 children: Richard H. (Joy) Cleveringa of Holmes Beach, FL; Ronald (Norma) Cleveringa of Ocala, FL; and Juanita (David) Wikman of Muskegon. Margaret preceded him in death in November of 1977. He married Pearl Johnson in Bradenton, FL, in 1979. She also preceded him in death in May of 2000. Mr. Cleveringa is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Ronald (June) Cleveringa of Wisconsin, Mary Lynn (Rob) Nichols of North Carolina, Rick (Lisa) Cleveringa of Pinehurst, NC, Debra Stringer of Asheboro, NC, Lori (Jordan) Purnell of Muskegon, Diane (Tom) Goodman of Muskegon, Kristin Wikman of Rovanna, CA, and Melissa Wikman of Chicago, IL; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, David Cleveringa of Grand Haven; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends both in Florida and in Michigan. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers: George, Kenneth, Lawrence, and Morris; and 3 sisters: Loretta Hieftje, Bernadene Sherman, and Avis Cleveringa. The service for Mr. Cleveringa will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 2, 2007, at Hope Reformed Church in Muskegon with Rev. Steve Hyma officiating. Friends may meet the family 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven. Interment will be in Lake Forest Cemetery. Memorials to Harbor Hospice or Hope Reformed Church are appreciated.