George S. Stiekes Jr.

George was born on February 22, 1944, to the late George Stiekes, Sr. and the late Betty Coates Stiekes in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated with a ministry degree from Bob Jones University, attended Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, and later earned an M.Div. at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary.

He married Judy Stiekes on July 30, 1966, and they had four children, Greg, Lisa, Rebecca, and Geoffrey.

George’s pastoral ministry spanned nearly 50 years, including youth and music pastorates in Freeport, Illinois and Sparta, Michigan and senior pastorates at West Cannon Baptist Church in Belmont, Michigan; First Baptist Church in Lake Orion, Michigan; Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hazel Park, Michigan; and Heritage Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Washington. He also served as a teacher for almost a decade at the Birmingham Bible Institute in Birmingham, Michigan.

George had many loves and interests. He was a talented vocalist, trumpet player, and choral director, and played several other instruments by ear, including piano, organ, guitar, and even the accordion (when his family allowed). He always loved to sing and often woke in the morning with a hymn or chorus on his mind. He loved nature and wildlife, especially in the mountains. In his younger years he liked to fish and was an avid rockhound. But what he really liked to collect was coins and books—lots of books, mainly theological books and Bible commentaries. He also loved landscaping. He had a great sense of humor and always had a joke to share.

Most of all, he loved the Lord, studying the Bible, preaching and teaching, and praying for others. He prayed regularly for his family, for those who needed Christ, and for those serving in ministry. He was a gifted encourager, helping and lifting others up. When he was a pastor, he would regularly write letters of encouragement to the missionaries that his church supported—and this started long before email was in use. He cared deeply about people and shared the gospel whenever he had an opportunity.

George is survived by his wife Judy Stiekes, his children Greg Stiekes (Rena), Lisa Tsuei (Tim), Rebecca del Toro (Miguel), and Geoffrey Stiekes (Tracy); grandchildren, Anne Katherine Ryland (Nathan), Caroline Sanders (Seth), Audrianne Karamon (Nate), Micaiah Stiekes, Emmaline Stiekes, Kendall Bergeron (Brandt), Evan Tsuei, Hannah del Toro, Erin Hall (Ethan), Katelyn del Toro, Karis del Toro, Rachel del Toro; great-grandchildren, Charlie Sanders and Joseph Karamon; siblings, Jim Stiekes (Naomi) and Ric Stiekes (Alice).

Services for George will be held at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609 on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM followed by the funeral service at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Park immediately following the funeral.