Bruce Eldon Homkes, age 84, of Overisel, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025. He is now at peace, in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior.
Born July 8th, 1940 to Russell & Lois Homkes, he developed a strong work ethic and love for farming at a young age, growing up on the southside of Holland. In 1969, he bought a farm in South Overisel with his family to pursue his passion. After many years in a tractor seat, he moved to a semi-truck seat to deliver feed for a local farm. With health issues came another seat, and that was in his pickup, going for coffee and visiting with friends.
Bruce served for over 30 years as a volunteer firefighter for Overisel Township and worked at the township transfer station up until 2023. He was a man of many words and always loved to sit and talk. He will be missed by many.
Bruce is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice; his children: Kurt Homkes of Hamilton, Julie & Greg Engelsman of Overisel, Brooke & Shawn Anderson, and Erika Homkes of Holland; grandchildren: Kurtis (Alyssa) Homkes, Cody Engelsman, Olivia (Cameron Kennedy) Engelsman, Eric (Megan) Mathews, Jeremy Mathews, Shaylen, Ethan, Westin, and Gideon Anderson; great-grandchildren Jagger and Presley Homkes, and Wren Engelsman; brothers: Larry (Carol) Homkes of Hamilton, and Rick (Darlene) Homkes of Russiaville, IN; sister, Karen (Merle) VanderSluis of Holland; sisters-in-law: Mary Alice (Ron) Homkes-Dean of Ionia and Mira Klaver of Zeeland; many nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends that he thought of as family.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Homkes, as well as his parents, Russell & Lois, brother Forrest Homkes, and sister & brother-in-law Marilee & Paul Vroon.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Overisel Reformed Church (West Campus) 4724 142nd Ave, Holland, MI 49423. Visitation will be at church begining at 9:30 AM on Saturday prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery.
The Homkes Family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Cortland of Holland & Hospice of Holland for their care and support in Bruce’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Holland.
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