Herman J. Medema

MEDEMA, Herman J.
Of Portage
Herman John Medema was born April 22, 1931, in Portage, Michigan, the son of John and Henrietta Smit Medema and went home to be with his Lord on November 19, 2010. He was lifelong area resident, and had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Herm was employed by the City of Kalamazoo for over 30 years and retired in 1986 as a foreman. He was a longtime faithful member of Southridge Reformed Church. Herm was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish. He was a lifetime member of the NRA, North American Hunting Association and the American Legion. The most important part of Herm's life was his family. On April 5, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Myra E. Travis, who preceded him in death on January 2, 2003. Also preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Janet Horton and brother, Bernard Medema. Surviving are his children, Christopher Connie Medema of Kalamazoo, JoAnn Medema of Portage and Lee Medema of Portage; grandchildren, Alicia Mark VanMaanen of Vicksburg, Justin Medema, Morgan Medema and Cassidy Medema all of Portage; a great-granddaughter, Ariana VanMaanen; sister, Marilyn Clayton Russell of Grand Rapids; brothers, John Medema, Paul Irene Medema and Ken Karen Medema all of Portage; a sister-in-law, Joyce Peacock of England; many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Street, where a funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday with Pastor Mark Vanderson officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorials in Herm's memory may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or Southridge Reformed Church Memorial Fund. Please visit www.langelands.com for online guestbook, memories and condolences for the family.