James R. Van Kuiken, Age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard. Jim was born on March 13, 1935 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ray and Mabel (Feenstra) Van Kuiken. He graduated from Calvin College in 1957. He was a partner at the Grand Rapids Insurance Agency. On June 5, 1959 he married Susan Graves and they raised three sons, Jon, Steven and Joel. For the last 15 years, his dear partner, Jane Dykstra, has been by his side. Jim loved water – whether on a boat at the family cottage on Big Star Lake or on Lake Michigan, or frozen beneath his feet on a pair of skis in northern Michigan or Colorado. He loved music, from the Moody Blues to Neil Diamond to Puccini. He always loved a good joke and a smart comment, and he always got a laugh no matter how many times he repeated them. Jim is survived by his partner Jane; his three sons, Jon and his partner Rob May, Steve and his wife LeeAnn Carlson and their two children Drew and Olivia, and Joel and his wife Judy and their three children Alex, Isobel and Lila.Visitation will be held on Friday, May 10 from 4:00-7:00 pm at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Road SE. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 am at Central Reformed Church, 10 College Ave NE (corner of Fulton), Rev. Larry Schuyler officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to Heartside Ministriy, 54 S. Division Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
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Crystal and I just heard today that Jim had passed away. Our sympathy to the family and to Jane, his partner. Jim was a favorite cousin and friend. I always looked forward to seeing Jim in one of the local stores or restaurants, usually in the afternoon at Forest Hills Foods. He and I always made each other laugh, even if we talked about the same things over and over. We will certainly miss him.
Tom and I are so sorry for the loss of Jim. We appreciated his smile and hearty laugh as well as his love of music and care for Jane. He will be missed!