Timothy Hoebeke, Sr.

Through the life he lived each day, Timothy Hoebeke touched the lives of so many others in a significant way. He was well known and well respected in his community, and he took a genuine interest in those around him. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Tim’s greatest source of pride and joy was found in the family he shared with the love of his life. He treasured his roles as a husband and father, but nothing was better than becoming a grandfather later in life. Tim will be deeply missed, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

With the end of WWII in 1945, America was making the shift to being a nation at peace once again. The baby boom was underway, and the housing boom soon followed. It was during this transitional time that Leonard and June (Bush) Hoebeke were pleased to announce the birth of their twin baby boys, Timothy and Thomas, on March 12, 1949. They were the youngest of the Hoebeke clan as they were joined in their family by their older sister, Sarah, their twin sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother, Charles. His father worked in the post office while their mother was a homemaker. Raised on the family farm on Three Mile Road, tragedy struck in their family when his father died when Tim and his brother were only nine months old, leaving his mother on her own to raise six children. Their grandmother soon moved in to help raise the children.

From the time he was a young boy Tim was a bustle of activity. Growing up their family attended Fairview Reformed Church. The church bus picked up the children for Sunday school while their mom would stay behind to “get her Sabbath rest,” but Tim and his siblings were always treated to a beautiful Sunday dinner when they got home. They enjoyed get togethers with family over the holidays. For Christmas, Tim’s mom would always manage to have a Christmas tree and a special gift for each child, which they have no idea how she managed to do even to this day as money was very tight. Growing up without a male figure, Tim and his brothers often enjoyed fishing and hunting with men from around the area who had taken an interest in them. He attended a one-room schoolhouse called Simon and then went to Zinser Elementary. Tim graduated from Kenowa Hills High School where he also played football and trumpet in the band. In addition to holding down his studies, Tim worked as a bagger at Meijer and Ferris Coffee & Nuts. Early on his summers were spent working at Marsman Construction. He enjoyed hunting, using his father’s bolt action .22 rifle that he found hidden in the ceiling rafters. Tim changed the firing pin, cleaned it up, and used it. He also sang bass in a quartet while growing up. He later received his bachelor of business administration from Grand Valley College and also attended Grand Rapids Baptist College.

New and exciting changes were in store for Tim when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Marilynn, and they met at Portage Lake Bible Camp, but they didn’t get serious until they attended Lincoln Lake Camp at the same time. Tim asked Marilynn to join him attending church and then to a friends house after. They dated for five years and fell deeply in love. On Christmas Eve in 1968, Tim got down on one knee and proposed at Marilynn’s house. They were married on a Friday evening, June 27, 1969, on a very hot day. They honeymooned on a trip through Canada, to the Wisconsin Dells, and then back home through Chicago.

Once they returned, Tim and Marilynn were eager to settle into a home of their own. They first lived in an apartment off Leonard Street. About 18 months later they moved to a rented house in Marne. Later, they bought a house at 3358 Richmond Avenue, NW, which is where they lived for 19 years before building their current house in 1990. Together they were blessed with the births of three children, Heidi, Tim Jr., and Julie.

Throughout his life Tim was known for his strong work ethic. In 1983 he started Richmond Interior Systems, a business that specializes in raised access flooring and operable partitions. His father-in-law, Roger Buffum, was instrumental in getting the business going. Tim became a well respected business owner known for his dependability, honesty, the quality of his work, and his strong work ethic as he put in whatever time was necessary.

As his family and friends can attest, Tim was a man of many interests. As a small business owner, he wasn’t always able to join the family on many of their camping trips, but he was there to get them set up and would spend as much time as he could with them. He also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Chippewa Lake. Tim also had two boats. It has been said that Tim was always in his yard as he enjoyed gardening and loved caring for his lawn. In fact, he was even known to mow his lawn at night using the headlights of his lawn tractor! Tim served at Fairview and Oakview Reformed as both deacon and Sunday school teacher. He then became a member of New Community Church 15 years ago. Tim enjoyed the news and keeping up with current events, ice cream, and milkshakes from Mr. Burger. Spending time with his Australian Shepherd, Jerry, was something he loved, and he enjoyed listening to classic hymns. As an outdoor lover, Tim liked being on the water, and it filled him with unspeakable joy to be able to share his love for the water with his grandchildren. Fishing, playing around in the water, and even fighting with his boat were all things Tim loved. Not only was Tim very affectionate with his grandchildren, but he was very active in their lives. They hosted their grandchildren for a party every New Year’s Eve, and he attended all of their games with a smile. Tim loved snowmobiling and was known for his heated ping pong matches.

All who knew Timothy Hoebeke would agree that he was truly extraordinary. He was loving, affectionate, and even laid back with a huge smile. Tim was a man of quiet faith, but it was no secret that he loved the Lord. A jokester with a great sense of humor, he was so much fun to be around. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.

Hoebeke, Timothy Martin Sr, 69, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed peacefully from his earthly residence and departed to his Heavenly home to be with his Lord on January 23, 2019. The son of Leonard and June (Bush), Tim was born March 12, 1949. On June 27, 1969, he did a smart thing and married his loving wife of 49 years, Marilynn (Buffum). Tim enjoyed the outdoors, playing and fishing with his grandkids, spending time on the water (and fighting with his boat) and teaching kids to waterski, heated ping-pong matches, snowmobiling, gardening, and Mr. Burger milkshakes. He was a well-respected successful construction business owner for over 35 years and had a strong work ethic. He is survived by his wife Marilynn, his children Heidi “Her Majesty” (Tim) VanOverloop, Tim Jr “Trouble” (Becky), and Julie “The Favorite” (Ryan) Stuckhardt, grandchildren Justin, Kylee, Brady, Evan, Leah, Camryn, and Dylan, siblings Martha Larimore, Charles (Judy), and twin brother Thomas (Joan), siblings in-law Beth Anne Dart, Roger (Dawn) Buffum, Gail (Randy) Nichols, and Terri Buffum, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews for whom he cared a great deal. He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father in-law Roger and Beth Buffum, sisters and brothers-in-law Sarah (Alan) Curtis, Mary (Don) Koster, Calvin Dart, David Petersen, and Jim Larimore. And not to forget, his good buddy Jerry the Dog. He faced many trials late in life, and his family is especially thankful for all of the support received from his extended family and special family friends Joy Mauk and Lou and Jan VanderWal, and the support of Faith Hospice. Tim was a member of New Community Church, 2340 Dean Lake Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI where funeral proceedings will take place Monday, January 28, 2019 at 11:00am. The family will receive friends and relatives at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr, Grand Rapids, MI, from 3:00-7:00 on Sunday, January 27, 2019, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial donation to Faith Hospice or New Community Missions.