Howard J. Boshoven

BOSHOVEN, Mr. Howard J. Portage, MI Howard passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 10, 2007. He was born June 21, 1927 in Grand Rapids, MI to Peter and Johanna Boot Boshoven, was raised in Grand Rapids, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1945, but missed his graduation ceremony because he had enlisted that May in the U.S. Navy. Howard completed basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in North Chicago, IL, and then attended Hospital Corps. School in Farragut, Idaho where he was trained as a Hospital Corpsman. He served in the Navy through the end of WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946. In 1949, Howard took advantage of the GI Bill and entered Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, MI. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Education in 1953, and then his Master?s Degree in Educational Leadership in 1955. While attending Western, Howard was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and participated in Sabre and Key, as well as the ROTC, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps. Howard was very proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country. It was at Western that Howard met his future wife Pearl Trestrail from Battle Creek, MI. Pearl was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and was also preparing for a career in Education. They married in 1955 and began a life together that would last nearly 52 years. ?Mr. B?, as he was known to both students and staff alike, spent his entire 36 year career within the Kalamazoo Public Schools, first as a teacher and then a Principal. During the first half of his 33 years as a Principal, he served the Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, North Glade and Grand Prairie Elementary Schools with the last 17 years as Principal of both Greenwood and Lakewood Elementary Schools concurrently. As a faithful member of the former First Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, Howard served as a Deacon, Christian Endeavor Youth Sponsor and long time member of the choir. A natural athlete, he enjoyed softball, tennis and golf into his late 60?s when Parkinson?s disease finally forced him to the sidelines. During his nearly 20 year battle with Parkinson?s he was never heard to complain, choosing to face his disease in stride and with humor that was typical of his warm and gentle good nature. Howard was a kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Helen, and his only brother Robert. He is survived by his wife Pearl, children June Mark Neitzel of Hartland, Wisconsin, Jane Scott Doherty of Portage, and James Elizabeth Boshoven of Portage, as well as his precious grandchildren: Tyler Bell, Brooke, Nikki and Carson Doherty, Mairin Boshoven, and his step-grandchildren Nicholas, Abbey and Megan Neitzel. Also surviving are sisters Jeanne Peter Groothuis of Lansing, Ruth Dale Penning of Grand Rapids, sister-in-law Geraldine Boshoven of Grand Rapids, brother-in-law John Mary Trestrail of Grand Rapids and all of his many nieces and nephews. In accordance with Howard?s wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may meet the family 2-4 and 6-8pm Wednesday at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St. A memorial service will be held 1 o'clock Thursday at the Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive. Private burial will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to the Second Reformed Church, Parkinson?s Association of Kalamazoo, or your favorite charity.