Bruce Barry Barendse , age 77, of Muskegon, passed away on Monday, March 11th, 2018. He was born in Holland, MI on February 5th, 1941 to Franklin and Alice Barendse.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Sue (Afton) Barendse, and his three sons, Richard (Jan Cantu) Barendse, Daniel Barendse, and Creg Barendse, his Daughter, Kim (Clarence) Colegrove, his Granchildren, Ryan (Kyrstal) Barendse, Logan Barendse, Trent Colegrove, and Sydney Colegrove, his brother Kenneth Barendse, his brother-in-laws, Jack (Barb) Rosencrans, and Harold Lassell who was like a second father to him throughout his life, and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by both of his parents, his brother, Frank Barendse, sister, Barbara (Jack) Rosencrans, and sister, Carol (who was like a mother to him) (Harold) Lassell. Bruce was an animal lover and was also preceded in death by his faithful companion Cody, a springier spaniel that was his best buddy.
Bruce was in the United States Navy stationed on the USS Turner Joy as a machinist mate. He was Honorably discharged in May of 1965. For many years he owned his own Machine Shop, M & M Machine. He later worked at Yale Lift Tech until his retirement. His entrepreneurial spirit would not let him rest; he continued to be a thinker and a doer about what next? He then started two more businesses. He bought a 36 foot trailer and contracted with car lots to deliver cars all over the country. Since he was never a big drinker, we are not sure how he came to do this, but he operated a beer tap cleaning business and cleaned beer lines for many local restaurants. After his diagnosis of Dementia in 2009, he finally hung up his work hat. During the day, you would most likely find him on the Golf course with his life long buddies Joe VanDyke and Dennis Popps, or in the evening, around a camp fire at his son, Rick's house or his daughter, Kim's. He will be fondly remembered for his vivacious personality always sharing a joke, even if he was the only one that "got" it!
Officiating the service is Pastor Bill Uetricht.
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