James Akkerhuis

James Jim Akkerhuis, age 78, of Lincoln Lake, formerly of Greenville, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 14, 2005 at Spectrum Health United Memorial-United Campus, Greenville. The son of Jacobis Cornelius & Adriana Maude (Benchop) Akkerhuis, he was born on Feb. 11, 1927 in Grand Rapids. On Aug. 6, 1951, in Angola, Indiana, he married the former Kathleen Ellen McBain. A loving husband and father, Jims proudest moments in life were at the birth of each of his children and his 54 years of marriage to Kay. He founded Town & Country Appliance in downtown Greenville where he operated a retail appliance sales and repair store. The business continues today under the ownership of his son, Kim. An active member of the community, Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Greenville and was a long-time member of the Greenville Masonic Lodge No. 96 F&AM, having served many terms as lodge secretary. In 1992 he was named Mason of the Year, not only by the Greenville lodge, but for the regional district. He was also a long time member of the Saladin Shrine Temple in Grand Rapids, where he was elected Shriner of the Year in 1993, served many terms on the Holding Corporation, was a member and past president of the Midway Shrine Club, in addition to being a charter member and past president of the Saladin Shrine Big Wheels (a parade unit that rides vintage Honda 3-wheelers). Jim was especially proud of the noble work of the Shriners Hospitals for Children and personally made over 120 trips to the Chicago hospital transporting children that benefited from Shriners care. Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Kay Akkerhuis of Lincoln Lake; his children, James & Mary Jaskiewicz of Grand Rapids, Randy & Joyce Akkerhuis of Morley, Kim & Doreen Akkerhuis of Greenville, Sjana & Bob Gordon of Lowell, Kathy & Randy Kent of Greenville, and Dionne Dee & Brian Luxford of Rockford; twelve grandchildren, Sharon, James, Curtis, Tonya, Tara, Nicole, Sarah, Jillian, Carissa, Jason, Ryan, and Jessica; seven great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Akkerhuis, please visit our flower store.