Louis John "Louie" Alkema

Louis John Alkema of Hickory Corners, MI


Louie, age 88, died Monday afternoon, May 12, 2014, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI, following a brief illness and surrounded by his loving family.

Louie, the son of John and Ella (Johnson) Alkema, was born on August 3, 1925 in Grand Rapids, MI and moved to Hickory Corners in 1967. He was a farmer and finally in the maintenance department for Michigan State University of Hickory Corners retiring in 2004 after nearly 40 years of faithful service. Louie was a member of the Gull Lake Bible Church; he enjoyed gardening and keeping his own yard immaculate, but his greatest joy was family gatherings, where cake with ice cream was mandatory!

Louie was united in marriage to the former, Clara Edema on August 4, 1950 in Grand Rapids. Surviving is his wife of nearly 64 years, Clara; his daughter, Carla S. (Brian) Verbrugge of Kalamazoo; four sons, Robert L. (Susan) Alkema of Hickory Corners, Paul A. (Melanie) Alkema of Venice, FL, Donald A. (Victoria) Alkema of Caledonia, MI and Daniel J. Alkema of Hickory Corners; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren with three more on the way; his brother, John (Barbara) Alkema of Grand Rapids, MI, a sister-in-law, Betty (Lyman) Rienks of Kentwood, MI; a sister-in-law Sue Alkema of Standale, MI and many nieces and nephews. Louie was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Henry Alkema.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Louie's life will be held on Friday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with Rev. Gary T. Cantrell, Pastor of the Gull Lake Bible Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. Immediately following the interment, family and friends are invited to the Gull Lake Bible Church to continue Louie's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 15th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Louie's honor may be directed to the Gull Lake Bible Church, 1491 Midland Drive, Hickory Corners, MI 49060.