Kooinga, George Bernard 1935-2019

KOOINGA, DRENTH, ZUITHOFF

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Mr. George Kooinga, age 84, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.

There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, November 12, at 11:00am, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Mark Haverdink and the Rev. Mike Pitsenberger will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a family prayer service on Tuesday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Visitation with the family will be on Monday, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the funeral home.

George Bernard was born on May 20, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Duward and Helen (Drenth) Kooinga. He was raised in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago where he attended the Christian grade school and the CVS High School. After graduation, he and several of his friends, enlisted in the Naval Reserves, and George worked with his father and brother in their family’s upholstering business. He also participated in several bowling leagues and played basketball and baseball on his church’s teams.

On March 17, 1961, he and Marcia Lynn Zuithoff were united in marriage, and enjoyed more than 58 years together. They made their home and raised their children in several suburbs south of Chicago. During this time George, and a close friend, went into business together as owners of Chesterfield Awning Company, a partnership that lasted close to forty years. In retirement, George enjoyed golfing weekly with his friends, and many weekend golf trips with friends and their wives. In 2012, George, Marcia, and their son Todd, moved to Orange City so they could be closer to their daughter Patti and her family.

George’s family meant the world to him and they adored him. His six grandchildren were a vital part of his life, he and Marcia went to countless sport and school events that they were involved in and formed close friendships there that added more great memories.

His faith and church were also very important to him. George served several terms on consistory, taught Sunday School and catechism classes, and participated in bible studies. Most recently, he and Marcia were members of the First Reformed Church in Orange City.

Survivors include his wife, Marcia; three children, Todd Kooinga, of Orange City; Kristin, and her husband, Doug Vander Noord, of Bradenton, Florida; and Patti, and her husband, Brent De Haan, of Orange City; six grandchildren, Jessica Vander Noord; Alanna Vander Noord; Aby, and her husband, Luke Sikma; Caleb De Haan, and his wife, Paige; Grace De Haan; and Lily De Haan; and a brother and his wife, Duward and Eleanor Kooinga, of Valparaiso, Indiana.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.