Achterhoff, Rolland Henry

Mr. Rolland Henry Achterhoff, age 82, passed away Friday afternoon, September 29, 2006. Rolland was born January 8, 1924 in Muskegon, the youngest of 5 boys born to Louis Klaus & Grace (Toppen) Achterhoff. As a youth, he worked at Coca-Cola Bottling and Grossman's Department Store. At age 14, he began working at Balbirnie Mortuary. Rolland attended Muskegon Christian Schools and later was a 1943 graduate of Muskegon High School where he played on the Muskegon Big Reds football team. He attended Ferris Institute before joining the US Marine Corp in September of that year. Rolland was awarded the Purple Heart for his courage at Iwo Jima. After returning from the World War II, he attended Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. During that period of time in Detroit, he worked as a service embalmer as well as selling cemetery property for Forest Lawn and Roseland Park Cemeteries. After graduating from Wayne State with a degree in Mortuary Science, Rolland managed the Hobart Funeral Home in Rochester, MI. On November 29, 1947, he married the former Betty Hunefeld at his parents' home on Arthur St. in Muskegon. When first returning to his hometown in 1949, Rolland sold automobiles for a short time with his brothers, Jay and John, at Achterhoff Motors on Western Ave. On January 1, 1950, Rolland purchased the Harold A. Wood Funeral Home and opened the Achterhoff Mortuary where he compassionately served many, many families in the Muskegon area for nearly 50 years before retiring in 1997. Rolland also operated Achterhoff Ambulance Service for nearly 20 years. During that time he saved many lives and delivered 77 babies. Rolland was a member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church, serving as deacon, elder, president of the Intermediate Couples Club, and Chairman of the Catechism Club. Rolland also participated in a DeColores weekend. He was a member of Kiwanis Club for 40 years and the Y's Men's Club for 20 years. He was also a founding member of the Christian Business Men's Club, a member and former president of the Old Newsies, a member of the Muskegon "M" Club (and was the longest season ticket holder for Big Red football games), the American Legion Merritt Lamb Post #9, VFW Post #446, member and former commander of the Marine Corp League, and DAV Chapter #11. Rolland is SURVIVED by his wife of nearly 59 years, "Bontje" (Betty); 4 children, Tim (Mary Lou) Achterhoff of N. Muskegon, Carol (Jim) Weber of Kalamazoo, Daniel (Bonnie Hendrick) Achterhoff of Muskegon and Ruth (Ric) Achterhoff-Aust of Rochester, MI; 9 grandchildren; Beth and Aaron Achterhoff, Tyler Aust, David (Julie), and Matt Geyer, Jacob, Simon, and Caleb Dykema, and Kara Simpson; 3 great-grandchildren, Avery and Drew Geyer and Jack Simpson; brother, Clarence (Grace Eckman) Achterhoff of N. Muskegon; and many special nieces and nephews. Rolland was preceded in death by his brothers, John R. Achterhoff, Jay W. Achterhoff, and infant brother, Clarence L. Achterhoff; and his nephew, James P. Achterhoff. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held 11 AM Tuesday at Bethany Christian Reformed Church (1105 Terrace St.) with Pastors David Sieplinga and Lou Roossien officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with Full Military Rites afforded by VFW Post #446 Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League. VISITATION will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM Monday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Avenue 231-726-5210 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to Bethany CRC, Muskegon Christian School, or Western Michigan Christian High School. You are also invited to share memories of Rolland in the family's On-line Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com.