Irvin E. Folkert

Irvin was a veteran of WWII, where he served in the Army. He was awarded with 3 Bronze Service Stars and 2 Purple Heart Ribbons. He and his wife Hulda were members of Overisel Reformed Church, where Irvin served as a deacon, an elder, taught Sunday School, and served as Sunday School Superintendent. In his spare time, he was a very involved grandparent, attending many sporting events, graduations, and concerts.

Irvin was preceded in death by his sister Evelyn (Folkert) Boers and brother Rev. Robert Folkert.

He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Hulda;

Children:

David and Jane Folkert

Alan and Judi Folkert

Carl and Barbara Folkert

12 grandchildren

21 great-grandchildren

Brother Wayne Folkert

Many nieces and nephews

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00am at Overisel Reformed Church, 4706 142nd Avenue, in Holland. Rev. Roger Kleinheksel will be officiating. Burial will be in Overisel Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5:00-7:00pm at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James Street, in Holland. Memorial contributions may be made to The Bible League International, 3801 Eagle Nest Dr, Crete, IL 60417.

Irvin was born in Overisel Michigan to Edward

and Anna Kronemeyer Folkert on February 6, 1921

in the same house he lived in until a few weeks ago.

He grew up with three siblings, Evelyn,

Robert and Wayne.

He graduated from Holland High School

and spent one year at Hope College

before being drafted in 1942. Irvin

fought for our country in the Pacific theatre.

This included the Aleutian Islands, Marshall Islands,

and the Philippines. Among other awards, he received two

Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars. He returned,

after discharge in 1945, to run the family poultry and

hatchery business. He married Hulda Rigterink on February 28,

1945 at her parents home east of Overisel. The government provided and all expense paid

honeymoon in Miami Beach, Florida at the Grossinger Hotel.

they welcomed a winning trifecta of sons, each three years apart,

David Irving, Alan Ricard and Carl John, as well as twelve grandchildren

and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Over the years he supplemented a declining poultry business with

various outside employment including Holland Hitch, Bruce-Alan Feeds,

Buss Machine, Prince Corporation and finally Hamilton Farm Bureau

Lumberyard. At the Lumberyard, he worked behind the sales counter for

sixteen years and became known and appreciated by many people.

During this time he was engaged in various ministries, committees

and consistory positions at Overisel Reformed Church. Church and faith in

Christ were important aspects in defining his life. Every Sunday the family was found third row

from the back on the East side of the sanctuary. Perhaps three active sons played

a role in that positioning. They were known to crawl under the pews.

Following retirement in 1986, he could often be found bowling in Zeeland with other retirees. He also

continued to maintain the family vegetable garden which he enjoyed until age

caught up with him. He and Hulda did some traveling and visiting of relatives

during this time as well.

He will be missed, but we praise God for his example and Christian heritage he has passed on to his family.