Jerry L. Bloemsma

BLOEMSMA, Jerry L. of Portage Jerry passed away suddenly Sunday September 16, 2007 at University of Michigan Medical Center. He was born July 6, 1944, in Zeeland, Michigan, the son of Bernard and Ruth Mulder Bloemsma. Jerry served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-70. For 43 years he was employed by Western Michigan University with 25 years in WMU Barber Shop and the last 18 years as the Postmaster at WMU Postal Substation. Jerry?s loved his affiliation with WMU, living on Long Lake, and most of all his family especially his grandchildren. On December 15, 1979, he was united in marriage to the former, Jeanne Newcomb who survives. Also surviving are two children, Michael Bloemsma of Long Beach, CA and Michelle Bloemsma of Portage; two grandchildren, Samantha Shively and Marcus Bloemsma both of Portage; a brother, Tom Pat Bloemsma of Glendale, AZ; two sisters, Mary Howard Bouwens and Barb Sherwin Hulst both of Zeeland; in-laws, Richard Betty Newcomb, Patricia Jack Patten and Larry Newcomb and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6-8pm and Saturday from 10-11am at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. A service to celebrate Jerry?s life will be held 11:00am Saturday at the Portage Chapel with Pastor Jim Dyke officiating. A private family interment with full military honors will be held in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorials in Jerry?s memory may be directed to an Educational Fund for Jerry?s Grandchildren checks to Jeanne Bloemsma.