David was born March 25, 1937, in Shelby, Michigan, to Harold and Marjorie Dekker. He was raised in Holland and attended Holland Schools. David started working full time at 14 and found his work niche in construction. David became a site superintendent and eventually an environmental consultant. He married LaVonne Jean Barkel in 1957 and they raised their children in Holland. They are members of Central Wesleyan Church.
David was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish and spend time at his cabin/deer camp in the U.P. One of David’s favorite things was hunting and fishing with his grandchildren.
David was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Norman Dekker and Donald Dekker, his sister Eunice Carr, and his son Jonathan Dekker.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, LaVonne, their children: Tim and Laurie Dekker, Diane and Ron Paris, Dean and Joni Dekker; 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, brothers: Gordon Dekker, Robert (Voncille) Dekker, Thomas Dekker; sisters: Phyllis (Jim) Looman, Janice Melton, Laurie (Roy) Compau; in-laws: Daniel Barkel, Robert (Jan) Barkel, Steve (Kerry) Barkel, Lynn Barkel, and many extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th Street, Holland MI 49423. Visiting will be 10-10:45am, just prior to the memorial service July 13. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Comments