Jay Lugthart

Jay Lugthart, age 98 of Jenison, passed away May 21, 2025. Jay was born October 14, 1926 in Grand Rapids, to the late Kryn and Helena (Wienand) Lugthart. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Emily; brother, Harold; special uncle, John Wienand; and in-laws, William (Dorothy) Vander Male, Carl (Mae) Vander Male, Gilbert (Agatha) Vander Male, Helene Vander Male, and Beatrice (Benjamin) Potter. Jay was a well beloved and highly respected teacher by colleagues and students alike during his years at South High School and Creston High School, teaching accounting and teaching drivers training during the summer and night classes. The influence he had on his students was many times life changing.

Jay is survived by their children: Jay & Michelle Lugthart, Ken & Shirley Lugthart, Valerie & Raymond Kleyn, Joan & Timothy Westrate; grandchildren: Grace (Martin) Rudolph, Nadia (Nathaniel) Vlietstra, Lydia (Matthew) Kersten, Andy (fiance Alyssa) Lugthart, Carol Lugthart, Mandie (Eric) Wierenga, Lisa (Bob) Roelofs, Sheila (Tim) Bazen, Carissa (Jake) VanDyke, Kendra (Charlie) Engelsma, Kerri (Aron) Bazen, Bryan (Maria) Kleyn, Kaarli (John) Kleppe, Brent (Sharon) Kleyn, Tim (Grace) Westrate, Tyler (Abbie) Westrate, Kyle Westrate, Sara (fiancé Joshua) Westrate; 42 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10 AM at First Netherlands Reformed Congregation, 1261 Beckwith Street NE. Visitation will be on Saturday from 2-5 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake MIchigan Drive NW. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Jay’s family would like to extend a special thanks and appreciation to the staff of Sunset Manor and Corewell Health Hospice for the dedicated care provided for their dad and mom. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Plymouth Christian School Foundation are suggested. To sign his guestbook or share a memory, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.