Leonard James Booy went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of September
30, 2015.
He was born on May 13, 1923 to Nicolaas and Henrietta (Kelderman) Booy in Pella Iowa.
He graduated from Pella Public High School and soon thereafter joined the US Airforce,
along with many of his school buddies, to fight in WWII.
He served from Jan 1943 - Feb 1946 as Staff Sargent in the 307th repair depot serving
in England, France, Belgium and Germany.
He was honorably discharged.
Almost a year later on January 7, 1947 he met and married, the love of his life, Lena Marie Niemantsverdriet. He worked in Iowa for several years at the Southern Utility Company and Pella Telephone Company. In 1957 he moved to Michigan, lived in Battle Creek and worked at the Mid-Content Telephone Co in Homer MI. The company changed hands several times and by the time he retired on December 30, 1985 it was part of Alltel Telephone Company.
Leonard and Lena lived on a farm in Homer MI and wintered in Punta Gorda FL for many of those retirement years. In 2007 they downsized to a home in Litchfield MI where they attended the Litchfield First Baptist Church. He loved hunting and fishing and for many years raised and trained German shorthair dogs for pheasant hunting. In the mid-80's he shot the biggest 10 point buck I have ever seen. He also raised geese, goats, chickens and horses while living on the farm. Leonard was best known for his quick wit, humor and ability to tell funny stories.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother William Booy, and sisters Lena Booy, Nellie (Spencer) Booy, Alice (Huisman) Booy, and Artie (Rietfeld) Booy, and granddaughter Angela Nicole Booy.
He is survived by his wife Lena Marie Booy; sister Pearl (Joe) Stravers; daughters Bonnie Booy and Donna Booy-Martin; son Daryl (Karen) Booy; 3 grandsons Sean (Melinda) Booy, Shane Hollander and Kevin Hollander; and 9 grandchildren Thorston, Bradyn and Harlen: Mackenzie, Ethan, Britton; Summer, Stephanie, Nathan.
Beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother peacefully passed away on July 4,
2020, in her sleep in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Her final days were at Bickford Assisted Living in Battle Creek.
The family was blessed to be able to spend time with her there.
Lena was born October 31, 1923, in Killduff, Iowa as Lena Marie Niemantsverdriet. She married Leonard James Booy on January 7, 1947. In 1957, Leonard and Lena moved to Michigan and lived in Battle Creek while their children were growing up, after which they moved to a farm in Homer, MI. While they were in Homer, Lena rode her horses in the Corn Days parade, and sometimes, Lena and Leonard wore their Dutch costumes and walked in the parade. They spent many of their retirement years wintering in Punta Gorda, FL. In 2007, they downsized to a home in Litchfield, MI where they attended the Litchfield First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Ruth Niemantsverdriet, and brothers Harry, Lester, Don, and Russell Niemantsverdriet, husband Leonard Booy, and granddaughter Angela Nicole Booy.
She is survived by her daughters Bonnie Booy and Donna Booy-Martin; son Daryl (Karen) Booy; 3 grandsons Sean (Melinda) Booy, Shane (Allison) Hollander and Kevin (Chris) Hollander; and 9 great-grandchildren Thorston, Bradyn and Harlen; Mackenzie, Ethan, Britton; Summer, Stephanie, and Nathan.
Lena liked bowling, horseshoes, Sequence and reading her Bible. She was a sweet, smiling Christian woman that everyone liked.
In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to Angela Nicole Memorial Fund at Battle Creek Community Foundation or Litchfield Baptist Church in Litchfield, Michigan.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service.
Joe served in WWII in the United States Navy on the USS CVE Hoggatt Bay. He moved to Holland in 1994 after living in the Lansing area for 20 years. He was a member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church and retired from Alltel after 32 years of employment. He and wife volunteered for many years at the Thrift Center for Bibles for Mexico. Joe is preceded in death by his loving wife, Pearl.
He is survived by his children; Rev. David E. & Janet Stravers, Ruth & Dan Dorn, Roger & Betty Stravers, and former daughter-in-law, Nina Stravers; 9 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; brothers, Rev. Dick & Ruth Stravers; sister, Janice & James Monsma; and sister-in-law, Lucille Stravers.
Funeral services are 3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 15 at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St. Holland, MI 49423, preceded by a time of visitation beginning at 2:00 pm. Rev. Stan Scripps to officiate. Burial to be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mission India..
Published online courtesy Langeland Sterenberg FH 13 Mar 2017
Pearl (Booy) Stravers, age 90, passed away on December 15, 2016 into the loving arms of her Savior.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Joe; children, Rev. David & Janet Stravers, Ruth & Dan Dorn, and Roger J. & Betty Stravers, and former daughter-in-law, Nina Stravers; 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lucille Stravers, Rev. Dick & Ruth Stravers, and Janice & James Monsma.
Pearl was a member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church. She moved to Holland in 1994 after living in the Lansing area for 20 years. She retired from Psychological Family Therapists, where she was employed as a secretary for 14 years.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Noon on Monday, December 19, 2016, preceded by visitation from 11:00 am - Noon at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, 5973 Church St. Holland, MI 49423. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mission India.
Published online courtesy Langeland Sterenberg FH 16 Dec 2016