Houzenga, Clifford

HOUZENGA, BUIKEMA, SHIPMA, WILKENS, DECKER, KOKOTT, STUART, ASHBY, KYARSGAARD, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 3/27/2010 at 19:17:02

March 17, 2010
Clifford Houzenga
By Clinton Herald
Clinton Herald

CLINTON — MORRISON, Ill. — Clifford Houzenga, 82, of Morrison, died Monday, March 15, 2010, at Morrison Community Hospital.

Funeral services are at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 19, 2010, at the Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL. The Rev. Philip Stel, Pastor: Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL, will officiate. Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2010, at the Morrison Chapel, Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home. Interment is at Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL. Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL.

Clifford was born November 23, 1927, in Fulton, IL, to Burt and Anna (Buikema) Houzenga. He was educated in the Crouch School of rural Whiteside County.

He married Beverly J. Shipma on August 23, 1951, in Fulton, IL; she died October 23, 1993. He later married Alice B. Wilkens-Decker on September 5, 1998, in Morrison, IL; she survives.

Cliff was engaged in farming in the Thomson and Argo Fay area until 1978 when he moved to Morrison. He was then employed by Drives Inc., Fulton, IL for 15 years, until retiring in Jan. of 1993. Following retirement, he was employed by Vend Omack, Morrison, IL. Cliff also mowed yards as a part time job.

Cliff was a former member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Morrison, IL and currently a member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL. He enjoyed wildlife, feeding the birds and flower gardening. As a hobby, Cliff repaired and sold, old and used bicycles.

Survivors include his wife, Alice; three sons, Randall (Myra) Houzenga, Fulton, IL, Russell (Patty) Houzenga, Clinton, IA, and Danny (Brenda) Houzenga, Morrison, IL; one step-daughter, Sharon (Ken) Kokott, Sterling, IL; six step-sons, Keith (Susan) Decker, Gastonia, NC, Ronald (Toni) Decker, Morrison, IL, Roger (Marilyn) Decker, Morrison, IL, Jeffrey (Connie) Decker, Fulton, IL, Joel (Brenda) Decker, Colfax, IL, and Robert Decker, Orlando, FL; six grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; and five sisters, Delores (Ervin) Stuart of Morrison, Darlene (Fay) Ashby of Thomson, IL, Bernice (George) Kyarsgaard of Camanche, IA, Ardella Houzenga of Savanna, IL, and Jean (Robert) Williams of Thomson; two brothers, Bernard (Frances) Houzenga, Morrison, IL, and LaVerne (Sylvia) Houzenga, Clinton, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Beverly.

To send online condolences, go to www.bosmarenkes.com.

Death date: March 15, 2010