Warner Hoeksema, age 92, of Imlay City, MI died Thursday, November 21, 2019 at McLaren Lapeer Region Hospital. Warner Jay Hoeksema was born March 14, 1927 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was the son of the late Fred and the late Lucy (Schaaf) Hoeksema. Warner was a graduate of Imlay City High School. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II where he was stationed aboard the USS Hollandia. Warner married Barbara Jean Yonker on March 9, 1951 in Kalamazoo, MI.
Warner was a self-employed, lifelong, vegetable farmer. He and his brother-in-law operated the Hoeksema – Jager Celery and Vegetable Farms in Imlay City for years.
Warner was a member of the Imlay City Christian Reformed Church (a Church Elder); past-president of Imlay City Christian School (a school board member); Imlay City American Legion; Imlay City Fire Department for 46 years, (the Fire Chief for 25 years), he retired from the Fire Department in 1996; Lapeer County Firemen’s Association; Imlay City Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2008; Imlay City Busker Festival Parade (the Grand Marshal in 2018).
Warner is survived by his wife, Barbara Hoeksema; daughters, June (Mike) Touchette of Imlay City, Janice (Perry) Zuhlke of the Saginaw area, Joanne (Doug) Cooper of the Kalamazoo area, Jayne (Jerry) Mastenbrook of Kalamazoo area and Jill (Dan) Campbell of Imlay City; three sons, Steve (Debby) Hoeksema of Imlay City, Stan (Pam Hays) Hoeksema of Florida and Sid (Carrie) Hoeksema of the Grand Rapids area; and a brother-in-law, Lewis Jager of Imlay City. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Warner was preceded in death by his sisters, Loraine (Vern) Cramer and Jean Jager; and by a daughter-in-law, Julie (Maison) Hoeksema.
The funeral was held Monday, November 25, 2019, at the Imlay City Christian Reformed Church, 395 Cedar St., Imlay City, MI. The Reverend Alex Snider, pastor of the Imlay City Christian Reformed Church, officiated. Burial followed in Imlay Township Cemetery.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions may direct them to the Imlay City Christian School.
Please be sure to sign the online register book at muirbrothersfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
