Craig Matthew Dykhouse

Craig “Big Craig” Matthew Dykhouse, age 64 of Grand Rapids, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on November 9, 2022. Craig was born to Ysbrand and Lorraine (Sadlowski) on November 21, 1957 in Grand Rapids.

For anyone who knew Craig, it was hard to imagine him as a child. At 16, not only did he have a full beard and stood 6 feet tall, but he worked as hard as any man around him. Craig’s first job was at The Clock Restaurant, afterwards working for Grand Rapids Spring and Wire as a truck driver for 20 years. Later he would work alongside his wife at Cascade Engineering. Unofficially, Craig was the “what if” guy who could think of every possible way something could go wrong, and try to prevent it. At home, he was “Mr. Fix it” and could repair almost anything. His meticulous and at times anal ways of working could be off putting to some who liked to cut corners, but Craig’s hard work always paid off in the end. After years of putting his work boots on, working overtime, and not being finished until something was perfect, Craig had a lot to be proud of after retiring.

Craig and Louise met through their best friends. Once they were introduced, Craig made Louise laugh, she got a look at his Mustang, and the rest was history. Louise fell for Craig’s sense of humor and his caring heart. The couple were married on October 15th, 1983 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Craig made sure to get Louise a card for their 39th anniversary, celebrated just a few weeks ago.

Craig enjoyed a beer or a mead as a member of the Hideout Brewery and St. George’s Hall. As a beer enthusiast, his tastes were always trusted and he often sampled new beers and reported his opinions. In his younger days, Craig and his brother Wayne had their own moped gang known as the Flaming White Skulls. As a self described “radio novelist”, Craig loved his CB radio. In another life, Craig may have been a pilot, as he loved to fly remote control planes and play flight simulator games. He also was a loyal Madden player with his brother-in-law, Tim. Together they kept track of stats, scores, and different team matchups. Tim and Craig may have been the biggest Lions fans out there. Every holiday weekend you could find Craig rigging up an elaborate display of fireworks, another one of his passions. Family, friends, and neighbors waited excitedly for his show and the relentless “pop…pop pop…pop…BANG!”

It’s hard to sum up Craig in just a few sentences. He loved his family and considered his friends to be just extended family. He loved rock and roll, especially Led Zeppelin, but only when it was loud enough to hear it in the street. He liked to pilfer coins from his wife, hoping to collect valuable coins to pass on to his grandson. Craig will be missed so dearly by all who knew him.

Craig is survived by his wife, Louise; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Collin Chapin-Tovey; grandson Bowen; sisters Ursula Dykhouse and Denise (Dwayne) Rogers; brother Wayne (Sue) Dykhouse; nephews Charlie Dykhouse, Scott (Amy) Dykhouse, and Danny Dykhouse; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his loving daughter Jessica, as well as his parents.

A memorial service for Craig will take place on Saturday, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel, where his family will receive visitors an hour prior. A luncheon will be held following the service at St. George’s Hall.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Spectrum Hospice or Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.