David Hovinga

David Hovinga was an honest, hardworking man, dedicated to his family and loyal to his friends. He was a man who desired little and was quite content in relaxing within the comfort of his own home, or roaming around the great outdoors, hunting and fishing. David found happiness in many things, but nothing delighted him as much as spending time with his family and grandchildren.

David was born on November 2, 1940, to proud parents, Simon and Martha (Hoogerhyde) Hovinga, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with his older sister, Jane, and younger sister, Marcia, David grew up in a stable, loving home at 1212 Garfield NW on Grand Rapid's west side, where the family was members of the 12th Street Christian Reformed Church. His father earned a living as an auto appraiser, while his mother tended to their home and family. A typical boy, David loved to spend much of his leisure time outdoors, playing softball on their church league, or hunting and fishing, a passion he carried with him throughout his life. For education, he attended West Side Christian School and Harrison Park Elementary, but David didn't like being a student very much so he left Union High School after the tenth grade. He then went to work at Folkertsma's Service Station on Leonard St. NW near his home, and enlisted in the Army National Guard when he was 18. Outside of work, David took every opportunity possible to head to a cabin he and several of his friends bought in Irons, Michigan, where he loved to deer hunt. Not a bad shot, David brought home a few good looking bucks in his days. And if he wandered far enough into the woods, he was sure to find a lake or stream he could fish in for some pan fish.

In 1966, a wonderful thing happened to David - he met the love of his life, Shirley Boss. The two were introduced through their mutual friend, Marilyn Johnson, and after having dinner and playing cards together one evening, a lifelong romance was started. After a traditional courtship, David and Shirley were married on October 27, 1967, at 12th St. Christian reformed Church.. The newlyweds traveled to Crystal Lake in northern Michigan for a romantic honeymoon, then took a ferry across the lake to Green Bay, Wisconsin to visit Shirley's sister, Jean. David and Shirley made their first home together in an apartment at 937 Leonard Street NW. After three years, they bought their first and only home at 1009 Crosby NW, where they raised their two wonderful children, Audrey and David Jr.

David's family was always his first priority in life. He worked hard to support them over the years, first a s a plumber with Herm VanderPloeg, then he worked at Brigade Fire Protection for a while before going to Johnson Fire Protection, where he installed sprinkler systems. As a father, David was always very attentive and loving, and he never missed an opportunity to support and encourage his kids in whatever they were doing. He also enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors with his family. Every year, they spent time at the cabin in Irons, as well as rent a cabin on Blue Lake near Ludington for a week.. Their cabin in Irons was on the Little Manistee River, which made for the best trout fishing he could find. While at the cabin, David and his son would often meander off the beaten path to find a secluded stream or lake to fish in. Later on, David bought a travel trailer for the family to go camping in, and these trips left unforgettable memories with them all.

When not pursing one of his favorite pastimes, bowling and golf, David enjoyed tinkering around the house, and being a jack-of-all-trades, he could pretty much fix anything he wanted to. A real meat and potatoes kind of guy, David loved to grill, and was the "weekend grill master" with juicy steaks every Sunday for dinner. Along with his steak, he enjoyed tomatoes, watermelon, corn on the cob and fresh cucumbers, and he always looked forward to the vegetables of the fall harvest. When not actually cooking, David liked watching the Food Channel on TV, especially Paula Dean. And being the outdoorsman he was, David loved the outdoor channel, particularly anything dealing with hunting or fishing, though he also enjoyed watching This Old House, The Wood Right and New Yankee Workshop. If not watching TV, David could be found playing free cell or Solitaire on the computer, which he did for hours. Much to his family's dismay, David was a proficient " pack rat" and wouldn't throw anything away; his garage and basement are a testament to his ability to collect junk. David always said though, "you never know when you might need it."

Above all else, David's happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his wife, children and precious grandchildren. They were the shining beacons in his life, and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for them. "Grandpa Hovi" as he was affectionately called by his grandkids, was in his glory when surrounded by their love and smiles. They were the apples of his eye and he never missed a chance to spend time with them.

In 1987, David developed pancreatitis, which later led to him being diagnosed with diabetes and subsequent neuropathy, which required two injections of insulin a day. In 2005, he had both knees replaced, which relieved his pain, but continued to limit him physically. His final fight started in February of 2007, when he suffered with severe stomach pains, and it was determined he had a tear in his spleen, which was then removed. While recovering at home, David developed an infection and was re-admitted to the hospital for six days. Once home, things just never completely cleared up for David, and about two weeks ago, he became quite weak and was retaining fluid. David was again admitted to Butterworth Hospital, where doctors discovered the infection had spread and nothing could be done. He was then placed under Hospice while his family kept a constant vigil by his side.

A wonderful husband, father and grandfather, David will be missed beyond words, and forever remembered.

David H. Hovinga, age 66 of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on Friday morning, May 11, 2007, at Spectrum Health - Butterworth Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Martha Hovinga. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Shirley Hovinga (Boss); his children, Audrey and John Post, David Jr. and Lisa Hovinga; his grandchildren: Simon, Samuel and Lucy Post and Henry Hovinga; his sisters, Jane (Terry) Maurer, Marcia (Garret) Jansma; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jean and Bert Voorhees, Ethel (Andy deceased) VanderWeide, Dale and Gloria Boss, Jim and Lois Wuis; several nieces, nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate David's life will be held on Monday, May 14, at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Neil Jasperse officiating. Burial in Washington Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet his family at the funeral home on Sunday, May 13, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service begins. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Christian Rest Home.Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of David or sign his online guest book.