Deweerd, Lester J.

Mr. Lester J. DeWeerd, age 87, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, and child of God, died quietly in his sleep Tuesday, November 14, 2006. Les was born November 7, 1919, in Zeeland, MI, to John J. and Jennie (Schroetenboer) DeWeerd. Les served his Country during WWII in the 864th Engineering Aviation Battalion (EAB) of the U.S. Army and spent 28 months on duty in the Pacific. On November 7, 1946, he married Marion Ruiter at Covenant Reformed Church in Muskegon Heights, where he later served as Elder, Deacon, and Sunday School Superintendent. Les and Marion recently celebrated his 87th birthday and their 60th anniversary at the church. Les was employed by Continental Motors for more than 36 years prior to his retirement and was a member of the UAW Local 113. He was an avid cribbage player, proclaiming himself champ when he beat his sons or daughter and master teacher when they beat him. Les loved to camp and travel with his family and was a devoted sports fan, particularly fond of the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons. He regularly traveled across the country to enjoy the 864th EAB annual reunions. Lester is SURVIVED by his wife of 60 years, Marion; his 5 sons, Gregory (Judy) DeWeerd, Thomas (Joanne) DeWeerd, and Lawrence (Terri) DeWeerd, all of Muskegon, James (Mary) DeWeerd of Grand Haven, and Richard (Sheryl) DeWeerd of Ludington, and his daughter Kay (Robert) Rhoades of Fruitport; his 17 grandchildren, Lisa DeWeerd, Wendy (Tim) Burchell, Joseph (Paula) Risselade, Melissa (Michael) Puzan, John (Kari Tipton) DeWeerd, Jeffrey DeWeerd, Joel DeWeerd, Leslie (Andy Rakestraw) DeWeerd, Adam (Stevennie Barth) DeWeerd, Eric (Hayley Hansen) DeWeerd, Sean (Stephani Sanchez) Smiertka, Jennifer DeWeerd, Nathan (April) DeWeerd, Ryan DeWeerd, Shawn DeWeerd, Keaton Rhoades, McKenna Rhoades; 9 great-grandchildren, Kamryn Burchell, Kyle Burchell, Phoebe Risselade, Peyton Risselade, Sarah Puzan, Becca Puzan, Serenity Smiertka, Douglas Johnson, Kayla Johnson; 1 brother, Gerald (Donna) DeWeerd, and 1 sister, June Gebben, of Holland, MI; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers and 2 sisters. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held 11AM Friday, November 17, 2006 at Covenant Community Church, 134 E. Barney Ave, Muskegon Hts., with Pastors Mark and Miriam Bush officiating. Full Military Rites will be afforded by the V.F.W., Muskegon County Council. VISITATION will be Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman, Muskegon 231-759-8565 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be made to Covenant Community Church.