Rev. Bernard D. “Bernie” Ekema ’63

Rev. Bernard D. “Bernie” Ekema of  Paw Paw, Michigan, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday morning, September 1, 2016.

Bernie was born June 23, 1930 in Kalamazoo the son of Harry and Cora (DeBoer) Ekema. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Bernie was a graduate of Hope College and Western Seminary and was a Pastor in several Reformed Churches which included; First Reformed Church in Harrison, SD, First Reformed Church in Three Oaks, MI and Williamsville Reformed Church in New York.

Bernie also started the NuWay Thrift store and enjoyed woodworking, traveling, bowling and golf. On July 3, 1951 he was united in marriage to his loving wife, the former Clarissa Razenberg, who survives.

Also surviving are his children, Robert Ekema, Leslie Ekema, Kathy (Randal) First, Dale (Juliana) Ekema; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; brother and sister, Arlyn (Shirley) Ekema, Charlotte (Stanley) Burchett; and several nieces and nephews.

Bernie was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Kristy Ekema; sisters, Beatrice and Jean; and a brother, Roger Ekema ’53.