Donald Buikema

Mr. Donald Wesley Buikema, age 91, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2018. He was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on October 2, 1926, to Wesley and Barbara (Pleiming) Buikema. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during the World War II, he married the former Betty Moesker on January 24, 1947. Don was employed at Coca-Cola Co. for 40 years until retiring in 1983. He was a member of Forest Park Covenant Church and a former member of Fifth Reformed Church and Westwood Reformed Church. He was an usher at the Frauenthal Theater and enjoyed softball, hunting and playing cards. He also loved his ice cream, chocolate doughnuts, jelly beans and the best drink in the world, his Coca-Cola. Don was an avid Muskegon High School Big Red and University of Michigan fan who loved watching Detroit sports. He will be remembered for his kindness and always having a kind word. He gave great hugs and will be greatly missed. SURVIVORS Wife of 71 years, Betty; sons, Rodney (Nancy) Buikema of Muskegon, and Matthew (Emily) Buikema of Battle Creek; daughters, Christine Adams of Muskegon, and Cynthia (Art) Backstrom of Muskegon; son-in-law, Tybo Wilhelms; 15 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; brothers, James Buikema of Muskegon, and Richard Buikema of Walkerville; sisters, Barbara (Jerry) Welcome of Branch, and Roberta (Ted) Miskowic of N. Muskegon; sister-in-law Shirley McKeown; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Wilhelms in 2003; sister, Doris Petrongelli; and brothers, Robert & Clarence. SERVICE Saturday, April 28, 2018, 11:00 am at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Wally Coots officiating and Military Honors under the Auspices of the Muskegon County Council of Veterans. MEMORIAL: Teen Challenge or Harbor Hospice Foundation.