Jack Geldersma

Jack D. Geldersma, age 92, of Casnovia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. He was born on January 14, 1931, in Grand Rapids, to Dewey and Willmina (DeVoogd) Geldersma. Jack proudly served his country in the U.S. Army achieving the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Ribbon before being honorably discharged. Jack worked at General Motors for ten years, and then began laying carpet. After 22 years of working on his knees, he developed blood clots in his leg. They almost left him paralyzed and without a job. The doctor said either get a wheelchair or find other employment. He was laid up for about a year. Not one to sit around, Jack decided to find other employment. He was hired as head of maintenance at the Gerald R. Ford Museum in 1981. He supervised about a dozen handicapped workers from Hope Network to clean the building and maintain the grounds. The curator and acting director of the museum at that time said this about Jack: "He's one of the friendliest and most jovial people on the staff. When he's at work, he makes us all laugh and at the same time he does a fantastic job of keeping the museum and grounds up to perfection". The museum building manager remembers Jack as being more than just a maintenance man. He was the one they went to with their problems. He said this about Jack: "You might as well put a couch in his office instead of a chair. He's an amateur psychologist-and what a friend". Jack had many memories of talks with staff members and celebrities he had met including Gerald R. Ford himself. Jack retired from the Ford Museum in January of 1996. (Previous information on Jack's employment at the museum was taken from an article in the Grand Rapids Press-January 8, 1996). Jack's retirement allowed him to spend time at home with his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, and they had many good years together. Jack enjoyed fishing and long pontoon boat rides around the lake. He loved nature and would sit on his deck admiring and appreciating all that he saw. He loved to watch the hummingbirds at the feeders he had put out, the orioles eating the grape jelly he had given them, and the turtles sunning themselves on the log near his shoreline. Jack had many great conversations and good times on that deck with his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duke and Mina Geldersma; his wife, Dorothy (Longcore) Geldersma (2021); and his grandson, Brent Geldersma (2020). Surviving are his two children, Cathy J. VanLuinen and Mark D. Geldersma; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews. Committal service pending. Family members will be notified personally. Because Jack loved animals so much, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal shelter, animal rescue, or Humane Society to help them take care of all the animals that need a forever home. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jack Geldersma, please visit our flower store.