Elwood H. Tallman

He was preceded in death by son Jack, wife Beatrice VandenBrink and wife Anjean Niewiek- Mys.

He was survived by wife Harriet Bosch-Tallman, children Jeff (Deb) Tallman, Karen Villafranca, and Randy (Julie) Tallman, stepchildren, Steve (Audra) Mys, Barry (Cher) Bosch, Brian (Cim) Bosch, Kevin (Deb) Bosch, and Scott (Sheri) Potter, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Elwood was an only child born in Kankakee Illinois on May 28, 1933, to Henry and Dorothy Tallman. He grew up on the family farm in Wichert , where he attended Wichert Grade School and then St. Anne High School where he lettered in 3 sports. After high school he spent a semester at Eastern Illinois University before enlisting and proudly serving in the US Navy. During his Naval enlistment he was assigned duty on both the USS Hornet and USS Philippine Sea aircraft carriers. After his discharge from the Navy he enrolled at Hope College where he met Bea. They were married at Hardewyk CRC on Valentine’s Day, 1958, and moved back to the farm in Wichert where he took over from his dad and began a family. Elwood was a hard worker, which farming 500 acres of corn and soybeans along with several Black Angus demanded. He was active in the school as well as the local church, Wichert Reformed. In 1974 the family moved to Holland where Elwood was a business owner for a couple years before finishing his career at Parke Davis as a chemical operator. He always remained a farmer at heart, however. Elwood and Bea sacrificed to send the children to Holland Christian, where they knew the kids would not only get a good education but also become more grounded in their faith. After Bea’s passing in 1997, Elwood married Angie and they enjoyed 9 years together before her passing. He then met Harriet and they had a wonderful 13 years together, both focused on leaving a loving and faithful legacy to the younger generations of the family, as well as mentoring younger couples from church and in their small group which meant a great deal to them. Elwood’s passion, along with tending a large garden with Harriet’s help until just a couple years ago, was to see his family come to have a close relationship with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Saviour. With Harriet by his side they fervently prayed for family members every day. He remained active in the church, first at Faith Reformed in Zeeland, then Central Wesleyan in Holland, and finally at Parkside Bible. Elwood also loved sports and was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.

If you haven’t realized by now, family was extremely important to Elwood, and in his last years especially, he so much appreciated the times when everyone could gather together. We, the family, appreciate all of your love and support that you have shown our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed, but we celebrate that he has finished the race which he ran well!

A celebration of life will be held on May 28 at 11am, preceded by visitation at 10am, at Parkside Bible Church in Holland.