George Jacob Scholtens

George Scholtens was not someone consumed by material gains in life but by the satisfaction of putting his family and friends first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand. George not only gave his all to his family but also his country, proudly serving in World War II. He was a man to be looked up to and admired. When George was born on March 3, 1919, the country was in an economic boom. Babe Ruth was in his prime and the growth of the aviation industry enabled people to travel greater distances. This economic uprising also made it easier for people to raise families. Though not affected by either "The Babe" or airplanes, Jacob and Elizabeth (VanderWier) Scholtens, living in Muskegon, Michigan, were affected when their second child, George, was born. They were delighted to welcome this baby into their family, and in later years, George would be part of a lively and active family that included five children - George, Berdean, Grace, Robert and Marion. The family later moved from the town of Muskegon, to a farm on the outskirts. It was a family farm, and everyone, including George did what he or she could to help out. By the time George reached the 8th grade, the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, and like many boys of that time, George left school to help support his family. He held a variety of jobs - he worked for Taylor Tile Company and even raised guinea pigs and rabbits to sell to a research company. He moved off the farm when the highway came through but always remained supportive of his parents and his siblings. Everyone had a nickname, and George was fondly known as "Bud". Faith had always been an important part of George's life and as a young man he attended the Berean Church. It was here that he met a lovely young lady named Nellie Spoelman. Like the true gentleman and romantic that he was, George courted Nellie for the next two years. The couple was married at her parents' home. In 1943, George found himself caught up in another conflict - World War II. He entered the Army in December of that year, serving in the 4th Infantry Division. It was very difficult for George to be away from Nellie, and the many letters they exchanged helped those long two years to pass a little quicker. George was part of several major battles including the landing on Normandy Beach on D-Day. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Black Forest. In November 1944, George was wounded while serving in Germany and received the Purple Heart. His son Dale is attempting to obtain a Bronze Star for his father. George certainly earned it. When George returned from active duty, he was overjoyed to be reunited with Nellie, and the hard times he had experienced were now a thing of the past and not to be talked about. He became the proud father of two wonderful children - his son Dale, and his daughter Patricia. He worked at various places to support his family until settling in at American Coil Spring Company. Having started as a machinist, he reached the level of Foreman in the 4-slide department, retiring in 1985. The family considered George to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. With his "nub" pencil in hand, he could fix just about anything and always had time for whoever needed his services. All except Nellie, that is. According to her, she had to make an appointment in order to get George to fix things around the house, and it was a house that George had built himself. He enjoyed gardening, his favorites being strawberries and tomatoes. George said he liked to fish but could never find the time - unless it was with his grandsons. Of course, for George and David, it wasn't fishing but "drowning worms". Daniel and Grandpa George liked eating chicken legs for supper together and teased each other over who would get the legs the quickest. Tim remembers how Grandpa always took time for the kids. He loved all his grandchildren and would do anything for them. But it wasn't just his grandchildren that George loved - he loved all his family. He taught them all the value of hard work and the fun of hardly working. George's granddaughter Erika considered her grandfather a very spiritual man, and this dedication was visible in George's commitment to his church. Over the years he had been an active member of the Berean Church, Open Door, and Forest Park Convenant Church. George "Bud" Scholtens will always be remembered as a hard working person who loved to be with his family and grandchildren. How dearly he will be missed. George Scholtens, age 87, of Muskegon, died on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. H is survived by his wife, Nellie, and his children Dale (Phyllis) Scholtens and Patricia Hedstrom; four grandchildren - Erika (Andy) Mehlos, Tim Hedstrom, David Scholtens and Daniel Scholtens; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Scholtens; and sisters Berdean Kissling and Grace Nelson. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Scholtens, and a sister, Marion Scholtens. Friends may visit with his family on Sunday, February 19 form 3:00 - 6:00 pm at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon. Services will be Monday, February 20, 11:00 am at Forest Park Covenant Church. Please visit George's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sigh the online guest book or make a memorial contribution to Hackley VNS Hospice.