Jay Sterenberg

Mr. Jay Sterenberg, age 96, went to be with his Lord, Sunday evening, November 25, 2007. Jay was born February 3, 1911 to Harry and Clara (Retsema) Sterenberg in Muskegon, and was a life resident. He graduated from the Hartford St. Christian School with the 8th grade class of 1925. He was a life-long member of the Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder and deacon. Jay also served on the boards of Muskegon Christian School and Western Michigan Christian High School. He enjoyed reciting stories and telling jokes. He was a former member of the Muskegon Oratorio Society for 10 years, and sang in the Hundred Voice Choir which presented Handel's Messiah each Christmas season. He was a former member of the Muskegon Y's Men's Club, and the local shuffleboard club. Jay was a partner in Reliable Hardware for 60 years, retiring in 1989. He loved the Lord, and was a willing witness to others. Jay was married to Janet Langeland on June 22, 1938. She went to be with the Lord on February 15, 1985. He later married Hazel E. Kamp November 20, 1992. SURVIVORS include his wife, Hazel of Spring Lake; 4 children, Russell (Sue) Sterenberg of Alpha, MI, Sandy (Ed) Nieuwenhuis of Grand Haven, Mary (Gary) Breuker of Fremont, James (Kathy) Sterenberg of Kalamazoo; 3 step-children, Karen (Dick) Scott of Spring Lake, Vern (Diana) Kamp of Clio, Ken (Cindy) Kamp of Spring Lake; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 2 step-great-granddaughters; 1 sister, Bernice "Bun" Ossink of Alabama; many nieces and nephews. Jay was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Edward (Etch) Sterenberg; 4 sisters, Alvina Barsema, Ethel Milkamp, Kathryn Schuitema, and Helen Powell. SERVICES will be 11:00 AM Thursday at The Lee Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 6291 Harvey St. (231) 798-1100 with Rev. Doug Bytwerk officiating. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery. VISITATION at the funeral home will be from 4-8 PM Wednesday. For a more lasting memorial, please consider the Endowment Funds of Muskegon Christian School, or Western Michigan Christian High School.