DeGooyer, Millard 1935-2012

DEGOOYER, ADDINK, DEVRIES

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 3/4/2013 at 22:40:44

Millard De Gooyer

Millard Don "Mill" De Gooyer, 77, of Schoolcraft, Mich., died Monday, Nov. 19, at Crystal Woods in Kalamazoo, Mich. Funeral service was Saturday at Southridge Reformed Church. Interment was in Hope Cemetery, Texas.

De Gooyer was born Oct. 1, 1935, in Sioux Center, the son of Donald and Geraldine (Addink) De Gooyer. He was raised in Sioux Center, where he graduated from high school. He served two years in the U.S. Arm Armored Division in Germany. He then earned a bachelor's degree at Northwestern College in Orange City.

On Aug. 10, 1962, he married Maureen De Vries in Valley City, N.D. They first lived in Lake Mills, where he was a teacher for the Lake Mills Public Schools. He later received a master's degree from Mankato State University in Mankato, Minn. They moved to Spencer in 1967 where he was a teacher and then became an elementary principal the last 24 years, retiring in 1998.

He was known for his great sense of humor and his dedication to staff and students. He was a past member of Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, where he served as elder for several terms, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served on various committees. He also servedon the Boy Scout Council, was a board member of the Pals Program and was a member of the Kiwanis Daybreakers Club.

In 2001, they moved to Schoolcraft, to be near their grandchildren. He was a member of Southridge Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, and worked with the Kids Hope USA Program at Moorsbridge Elementary School. Heenjoyed fishing, hunting, travelingand spending time withhis grandchildren and takingin their activities.

Survivors are his wife of 50 years, Maureen De Gooyer; their two sons, Matt De Gooyer and his partner Kenny Paige of Seattle, Wash., and Monte De Gooyer of Seattle; their daughter and her husband, Melanie and Mike Balkema of Schoolcraft; three grandchildren; two brothers, Donald (Nelva) De Gooyer of Sioux Center and James (Charlene) De Gooyer of Rock Rapids; his wife's family, Elizabeth (Raymond) Roemmich of Stillwater, Minn., and Jacob 0ean) De Vries of Litchville, N.D; and several nieces and nephews.
Source: Sioux Center News of 11-28-2012