Geels, James - 1900-1994

GEELS, BIERMA

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/4/2010 at 14:57:19

James Geels, 93, of Sioux Center, IA, a former longtime resident of rural Ireton, IA, died Friday, January 7, 1994, at the Sioux Center Community Health Care Center.

Services were held on Tuesday afternoon, January 11, 1994, at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center, the Reverend Robert Holwerda officiating, with burial at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of the Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center.

James Geels, the son of Christian and Neltje (Orange) Geels, was born August 26, 1900 in Orange City, IA. He attended school through the sixth grade at the Orange City Christian School. Bertha Bierma and James were married on February 18, 1932, in Sioux Center. They lived and farmed near Maurice and Ireton until 1978 when they moved to Sioux Center.

Mr. Geels was a member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. He served as an elder for many years in the Ireton Christian Reformed Church. He also served on the Ireton Christian School Board, Western Christian High School Board and the Dordt College Board.

Survivors include six children: Gertrude (Mrs. Harold) Boer of Sioux Center; Nelvia (Mrs. Bernie) Van't Hul of Ann Arbor, MI; Miss Clarice Geels of Grand Rapids, MI; Miss Wilma Geels of Birmingham, AL; Miss Marilyn Geels of New York, NY, and Don and his wife Carol of Bloomington, ID; one daughter-in-law, Marilyn Geels of Grand Rapids, MI; one sister, Adrianna Stephens of Allendale, MI; two sisters-in-law, Sadie (Mrs. William) Geels of Sheldon, IA, and Betty (Mrs. John) Geels of Pella, IA; ten grandchildren, Ron Boer, Doug Boer, Barb Landhuis, Brad Boer, Patty Timmermans, Marya Garth, Jonathan and Sarah Van't Hul, and Christine Geels; and four great-grandchildren, Lindsay and Marcus Landhuis and Kelsey and Madison Boer.

Mr. Geels was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha, on February 13, 1985; two sons, Robert (Bob) and Verlyn; two brothers, William and John; one sister, Nellie Vogel; one half-brother, Chris Geels, and two half-sisters, Fannie Skipper and Jennie Kempers.

Ireton Examiner, January 13, 1994