Donald M. Sopjes

SOPJES, Donald M.
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Don was born on March 6, 1929 in Kalamazoo, a son of the late John O. and Elizabeth Koning Sopjes and had lived in the Kalamazoo area most of his life. He enjoyed golf, travel, biking and walking. Don worked for the Doubleday Bros. & Co., for 44 years in various positions and served as office furniture manager before moving into printing and elections departments. He programmed and sold some of the first optical scan vote tabulators in Michigan. Don graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School. After 2 years at Calvin College, Don graduated from Western Michigan University in 1951. He spent many years supporting the Kalamazoo Christian Schools on the Christian School Realty Board. He was married on April, 1951 to Joyce Taylor, who passed away in November, 1990. Don was a longtime member of Third Christian Reformed Church and served as a deacon, elder and clerk of the council. He married Carol Lee Wagner in August, 1996, who survives. He is preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Alfred, John and Harvey. He also lost his first child, Ronnie, at one month old. Don is survived by three sons and a daughter; David Barbara Sopjes of Ferndale, CA, Robert Winnie Sopjes of Kalamazoo, Marcia Dennis Toennessen of Chugiak, AK, and Jack Erin Sopjes of Dorr, MI.; also surviving are step-children, Scott June Wagner of Kentwood, Cheryl Ray Haupt of Iowa and Kathy Curt Fitch of Jenison. Also surviving are 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; a brother, Anthony Sopjes and a sister-in-law, Terry Post Sopjes. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 6, 2014, in the Third Christian Reformed Church, 2400 Winchell Ave., with the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Baker, officiating. Interment will take place in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, South. A visitation is planned for Thursday, June 5, 2014, from 2-4 & 6-8 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. and on Friday at the church, beginning at 10:00 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Third Christian Reformed Church Memorial Fund, Kalamazoo Christian School Association or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.