Jim married the love of his life, Eunice Jan (Brink) in 1959. She survives him along with their children: Karen (Ed) VanderWindt of Ancaster, Ontario; Robert (Marcia Defreese) Volkers of South Haven, MI; Mark (Janelle Timmer) Volkers of Orange City, IA; and Joy (Chuck) Berghorst of Zeeland, MI; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Matthew (Caitlin Timmer) VanderWindt, with Rose, Caroline; Kathryn (Willem) de Ruijter, with Gideon, Levi, Ivy; David (Emily Sinclair) VanderWindt, with Joseph, Emma, Marigold; Ben (Brianna Kuperus) VanderWindt; Cody (Susannah Sullivan) Volkers; Kristiana Volkers; Elsa (Braden) Kooiker, with Sutton, Leighton, Sylvie; Lauren (Paul) Kleyer, with Corrie, Micah, Rylie; Colin Volkers; Johnathan (fiancée Courtney Copeland) Berghorst; Adam Berghorst; and Evan Berghorst.
Siblings: Faye† (Bernie†) Van Kampen; Clyde (Joan Maxwell), Paul (Linda Koopman), Ruth† (Volkers) Erlick, and Mary (Joel) Telfer-Taylor (Lynn† Telfer); Shirlene† (Brink) and Jim† Medendorp, Betty (Brink) and Ken† Navis, Phil (Bette Vanderzee) Brink, Fred (Ruth Van Dyken) Brink, Ruth† (Brink) and Jim† Hubbling.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Johanna (Blaauw) Volkers and the Rev. John E. and Winnifred (Comdoor) Brink. In 1969, Eunice and Jim lost their infant son, Christopher John.
Jim was a thoughtful man with a strong faith and a curiosity about the world around him. He was a very caring and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a lifelong student of life, an avid reader on many subjects, an enthusiastic traveler, and a great conversationalist. He had a lively sense of humor, and he honored confidentialities entrusted to him. Jim and his wife, Eunice, greatly enjoyed developing and living in their beautiful home and property on 64th Street.
Jim, a graduate of Holland Christian High School and upon completion of Barber School was the owner and operator of The Headmaster barbershop in Holland for 50 years. In the 1970s, Jim and Eunice helped to establish a church plant, later known as Gibson Christian Reformed Church. There Jim served as an elder, Sunday school teacher, superintendent, and head counselor of the very active Calvinist Cadets Corps boys’ program. He found deep satisfaction in mentoring men and boys from many walks of life. He did this at Gibson, the Dunes Correctional Facility, and the Muskegon Correctional Facility. During retirement, Jim also volunteered at the City Mission and Holland Hospital. He and Eunice were strong supporters of Christian education and other organizations dear to their hearts.
Visitation and funeral will be held at Niekerk Christian Reformed Church on June 15, 2024 (545 Country Club Road, Holland, MI). Visitation: 9:30-10:30. Funeral: 11:00 am, with Rev. Marvin Hofman officiating. Luncheon will be served after the funeral, followed by Interment at Graafschap Cemetery.
The family is deeply grateful for the kind and loving care of staff at Appledorn Assisted Living Center North, The Cortland Holland, and Hospice of Holland. Memorial contributions may be made to
Jubilee Centers International, PO Box 7758, Grand Rapids, MI 49510, www.jubileecentershn.org
or to Holland Gateway Mission (www.hopefoundhere.org).
My connections with Jim was during our volunteer shifts at Holland Hospital.
He and I worked in errand and escort. Later on, I joined him on the scholarship
committee. Although he was on a different volunteer shift at the hospital, I usually
talked with him as I was about to leave and he was arriving. I always enjoyed visiting with Jim and his willingness to carry on a conversation. It was a pleasure to get to know him.
He is now in his heavenly home. My condolences to his entire family.
Tim Huyser
(former volunteer at Holland Hospital)