Obituary: William Talsma, 97, Scottville.

William Talsma

Obituary: William Talsma, 97, Scottville.

William Einer Talsma, 97, of Scottville, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born November 30, 1919 in Claim Union Township to Thys E. and Clara (Hansen) Talsma.

Bill attended Riverton Schools and Ludington Schools.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served his country as a staff sergeant in the 86th Tank Battalion. He served in the European Theater and received a Silver Star.

Bill married Dorothy Schulz on September 27, 1952 in Scottville at the Redeemer Lutheran Church. Together they raised six children.

Bill worked as a custom farmer and he also worked as a refractory worker at Harbison Walker. He retired in 1989 after over 20 years with the company.

Bill was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, the Custer VFW, and the Ludington American Legion.

Bill will be greatly missed by his wife Dorothy; children: David (Sheila) Talsma of Belmont, Dale (Cheryl) Talsma of Nigeria, Africa, Steven (Gina) Talsma of Troy, Randall (Ellen) Talsma of Troy, Kathleen (Nick) Angelakos of Sterling Heights; siblings: Johanna Irish, Margaret Reader, Anna VanderWall, and Marybelle Gerbers; grandchildren: Ashley, Tiffany, Nicholas, Kyle, Adam, Ryan, Christopher, Michael, Aaron, Tobiah, Scott, Matthew, Joel, Brian, Dalan, Kailyn, Jason, and Taya; five great- grandchildren: Ava, Zara, Aariya, Logan, and Elynna.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Susan and his sisters, June Denny and Bonnie Fogg, and his brothers, Elvin, Mark, Arthur, John, Thys Jr., and Merlyn.

A funeral will be held Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville. Visitation will begin at noon also at the church. Bill will be laid to rest at Brookside Cemetery immediately following the service.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be directed to Our Savior Lutheran Church Renovation Fund and GLO Mission.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Ludington.