Cornelius Casey Kerkstra

Casey was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1936. His childhood memories were of the German occupation struggles and his father’s hiding to avoid being sent to a work camp. He immigrated with his family at age 13 and became a citizen at 18. A Veteran, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Casey worked for 32 years as a Tool and Die Leader at General Motors. He also taught skilled trades at G.R.C.C. for 18 years. He was a member of Grandville United Methodist Church and worked on many Habitat for Humanity houses.

A member of Muskegon Yacht Club, Casey had a passion for sailing and sailed the Great Lakes with his family in his spare time. In retirement, he sailed across the Atlantic to Ireland, spent his winters sailing down south to the Bahamas, as well as the Pacific towards Alaska. He enjoyed traveling in general, camping through the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and Australia. He also enjoyed carving, painting, and sketching. He really loved his kids, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Casey was preceded in death by his parents Joris and Cora Kerkstra and his sister, Ria Foster. Casey leaves behind, to grieve his loss, his wife of 56 years, Edyth (Kasper) Kerkstra; children Brandon and Rene’ Kerkstra, and Heather and Larry Mull; and grandchildren Stephanie (Matt) Meade, Zach Mull, Camille (Kyle) Macklin, Payton Mull, Collin Kerkstra, and Carly Kerkstra; along with great-grandchildren Max, Aly, Aless, and Wesley. Also surviving are his brother, Jack and Norma Kerkstra; sister, Josie Ricketts; and sisters-in-law Emmy and Herb VanderBilt, and Roberta Levering; special friend, Jack Callahan; and many nieces and nephews, cousins in the Netherlands, and many dear friends.

Visitation with Casey’s family and friends will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021 at Cook Funeral Home (West building), 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Habitat for Humanity or SECOM. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guestbook online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.