Harley Schut, 77, of Hopkins, died Tuesday, Sept. 22, at his home.Born March 11, 1943, in Jenison, he was the son of the late Lambert and Henrietta (Steenwyk) Schut and was the husband of Nancy (Wuis) Schut.
Harley was a faithful and caring husband for more than 50 years, setting an example of marriage for his family and community. Harley and Nancy showed draft ponies at county and state fairs earning many champion awards. He was a life-long farmer and caretaker of the land, starting with the Schut family homestead in Hudsonville and later farming in Monterey Center.
He was a master horse wagon craftsman with wagons that served the draft horse industry throughout the United States and Canada. He worked as a heavy truck and trailer mechanic and was an avid supporter of his family attending multiple horse and livestock shows across the United States.
Besides his wife of more than 50 years, Harley is survived by his children, John and Kara Schut of Belding and Jacob and Kimberly Schut of Allegan; siblings, Warren and Geraldine Brouwer of Holland, Mary Schut of Grandville, Norman and Grace Schut of Jenison, Carl and Hazel Bode of Caledonia, David and Janice Baar of Hudsonville, Martin and Louise Nivison of Zeeland, Lambert Jr and Marie Schut of Hudsonville, Roger and Barbara DeKoekkoek of Kalamazoo, Robert and Louisa Schut of Jenison, Craig and Thea Wilhoite of Grand Rapids, grandchildren, Alexandria and David, Lillian, and Jaxon; and great-grandson, Harley; and many members of the extended family.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jack; and brother, Leonard.
The family will receive friends on the family farm on Saturday, September 26, 2020, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. A lunch will be served with a funeral service at 1:00 PM followed by a horse-drawn processional and burial at Poplar Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Michigan FFA Alumni – Schut Scholarship. Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, is assisting the family with arrangements.
