Donald Clair Jansma of Middleville died Thursday, Feb. 3. He was 93.
One of seven children, Donald was born Oct.14, 1928, to Peter and Cora Jansma.
Don grew up in Grand Rapids and attended Union High School. He served his country for 24 months as a member of the US Army during the Korean conflict. He was stationed stateside and received an honorable discharge.
After serving in the military, he worked for Michigan Express, where he met his bride, Alice. Until retirement in 1980, Don worked in various positions in the transportation business. This career took Don and wife Alice to Battle Creek, where they started their family, then to Middleville, their home since 1964.
In Don’s free time, he loved to bowl, golf, and cheer on the Lions, having season tickets for many years. After retirement, he continued working part-time delivering flowers, working at the Yankee Spring Township for more than 15 years, and the one place very close to his heart — Yankee Springs Golf Course, where he held several positions – but most important to him were the lifelong friendships he made.
He was also a member of St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church Gun Lake. He enjoyed membership in the Middleville Lions Club, his many years on golf leagues at Yankee Springs Golf Course, family vacations at Grand Haven, his grandchildren, and always cheering for the Michigan Wolverines.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alice; and children Jerri (Scott Miller) Jansma and Pete (Sharon) Jansma; grandchildren Amanda (Nick) Velting, Allison (Brad) Mulder, Andy (Amanda) Sager, Melissa (Kevin Foss), Sarah (Connor) McDevitt, Clair Jansma, Nathan Jansma; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Vereeke; and sister-in-law, Betty Russell.
He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Cora Jansma; brothers and sisters Henry, Jim, Frances, Bob, and Shirley; sister-in-law, Lauranne Wilyard; and mother- and father-in-law Donald and Thelma McDiarmid.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 159 131st Ave., Wayland. The family will receive visitors from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will take place at St. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery following the mass.
Memorials may be made to the St. Cyril and Methodius Church building fund.
What a wonderful Man. Our hearts go out to Alice Jerri and Peter. Spent a lot of time at the golf course and cobb lake. Don and Alice will always be in our hearts thank you both for all the memories. Dennis and Grace