Karrel D. Boerman

At the beginning of life, we are all innocent and nave, simply because we have no experience to be anything else. We enter the world with excitement to explore and learn the world around us. As time goes on we see more of the world and begin to accumulate a bank of experience that leads and guides us for better and for worse. Karrel D. Boerman was a man that experienced the worst of humankind and the best of humankind. From serving in World War II to his marriage and the birth of his children, Karrel was a man of dedication and loyalty. It was the year 1921, in a joint session of congress, the United States declared the end of World War I on July the 2nd. Later that year, a seemingly related event occurred. The first burial at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery took place on the 11th of November. It was the beginning of a decade of prosperity, big band music, and speakeasies. Nearing the end of the summer, parents Benjamin and Ethel (Lamb) Boerman, both of Dutch heritage, living in Aetna, Michigan were getting ready to receive a new child into the world and into their family. On the 31st of August, 1921 Benjamin and Ethel celebrated the birth of their son, Karrel. Karrel and his family lived in West Michigan where he attended Muskegon High School. He graduated from there in 1941. Shortly after graduation, like many men and boys his age, he felt the call to duty to serve their country and the world in the fight against Nazi Germany and their sympathizers. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy on the 20th of January, 1942 and served aboard an LST 386 as a part of the Allied Forces. He was deployed on ship in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific. After returning home from the war on December 13, 1945, Karrel took Wilma Jean VanMaastricht to be his wife a little more than nine months later, on September 26, 1946. He spent forty-two and a half years as a loyal employee of the Teledyne Continental Motors, where he worked as a foreman until he retired from the company in 1983. Perhaps it was the time he spent on ship in the Navy that led him to become an avid sailor spending much of his summer time on the water. On November 23, 1994, Karrel and his children mourned the death of their mother, Wilma Jean. As our time on earth comes to an end we begin to ask ourselves certain questions. What were the things that we will be remembered for? Did I do my part during my time in this world? With all of the good times and those that we wish we'd have thought twice about before taking the next step, we recognize that our lives would not be the same without the presence of Karrel Boerman. We give thanks for his life and pray for his peace and comfort. Karrel D. Boerman sailed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2006. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Wilma Jean on November 23, 1994. Karrel's family includes his children, Kristi (Jerry) Cole of Muskegon, Kevin (Marjorie) Boerman of Holland, MI & Kurt (Laurie) Boerman of Muskegon; 4 grandsons, Jerry (Dawn) Cole, Adam Boerman, Matthew Boerman & Jordan Boerman; 2 great grandchildren, Brooke Cole & Jenna Boerman; sister, Fern Boerman of Muskegon; brother, Lee (Bette) Boerman of Lansing & a wonderful friend, Mary Langler. Friends may visit with Karrel's family on Sunday, January 15, 2006 at the Clock Lifestory Funeral Home. Karrel's Lifestory Service will take place on Monday, January 16, 2006, 1:00 PM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Roger VanderKolk officiating. Interment will be at the Laketon Township Cemetery.