Jacob Richard Elzinga

ELZINGA, Jacob Richard Kalamazoo Passed away Monday, October 16, 2006. He was born August 9, 1987 in Kalamazoo, the son of Mark and Tami Gilger Elzinga. Jake loved playing baseball and basketball. He also enjoyed skateboarding, music and computers. He built his own computer and mastered many video games. He attended Portage Central High School and had a great passion for acting. He was involved in all the High School plays and musicals. As a sophomore, he was the State Champion in Forensics. As a junior, he was state runner-up. Jake shared his family?s passion for travel, visiting Russia, Italy, Spain, France, Estonia, Croatia and Alaska. He also traveled with the production of the ?Secret Garden? to Scotland. Jake was a very kind and sensitive person. He was good to younger children and was loved by all. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Janice Gilger and his paternal great grandfather, Jacob Elzinga. Jake is survived by his parents, Mark and Tami Elzinga of Portage; his sister, Mandy Elzinga of Portage; grandparents, Duane and Sandy Gilger of Gun Lake and Jake and Doris Elzinga of Portage; great grandmother, Ida Elzinga; aunt and uncle, Jeanette & Tom Gilger; aunt Teri Gilger; uncles, Dan Elzinga and Jeff Elzinga; cousins, Joanie and Janice Gilger. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Saturday in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. with Rev. John Moore officiating. Interment will follow in South Portage Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6-8 PM and on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions may be directed to Portage Community Outreach Center.