Jack Elema

Mr. Jack J. Elema, age 71, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 23, 2007. He was born January 5, 1936 in Muskegon to Jacob and Jennie (Hopma) Elema. Jack was the owner/operator of L & J Distributing before retiring in 1998. He had also worked 10 years for C.W.C. Textron and for Blood's Front End for the past 6 years. Jack was a member of New Heart Community Church and was active in DeColores as a cook. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. On May 6, 1955 he married the former Lou A. Varner in Muskegon and she preceded him in death on May 27, 2004. SURVIVORS include 4 daughters, LuAnn (Dan) Patton of Muskegon, Jayne (Ken) Jones of Covington, LA, Laura Elema of Muskegon, and Jennifer Bolthouse of Muskegon; 8 grandchildren, Dani, Conner, and Evan Patton, Ashley and Kelsey Jones, Caitlin and Aubree Peters, and Nathan Bolthouse; brother, Orville (Nelly) Elema of Norton Shores; 2 sisters-in-law, Carol (John) Eberly and Dee (Jerry) Meyers; several nieces and nephews; and many special friends. He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Jim in 1974; and granddaughter, Nicole Peters. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Tuesday at The Sytsema Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 737 Apple Ave. (231) 726-5210 with Pastor Ron Amos officiating. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION with the family will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM Sunday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the New Heart Community Church Memorial Fund.