Burton J. Houtman
August 20th, 1927 - September 28th, 2024
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Burton's Obituary
Burton James “Burt” Houtman, 97, life-long resident of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Rose Arbor in Kalamazoo.
There will be a committal service for Burt beginning at 11am, Friday, October 4, 2024 at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. A celebration of life gathering will be held immediately after at the VFW, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to the VFW-Post 6248, 560 N. Phelps St., Decatur, MI 49045 or to the Decatur-Hamilton Fire Department, 420 W. Delaware St., Decatur, MI 49045.
Burt was born August 20, 1927 at his home in Decatur. Burt graduated from Decatur High School and married his first wife, Florence Barrett. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a member of the Sea Bees during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to the states, Burt worked for General Motors for many years before his retirement. In 1985, he married Gloria (Long) Burkitt and together they enjoyed 35 years of traveling together, especially to the southern states and with their antique car “touring” group.
Burt will be missed by his wife, Gloria Houtman; his children, Deborah (Ken) Stull, and Suzanne (John) Soave; his grandchildren, Jill (Craig) Checkley, Kevin Stull, Kyle (Katie) Stull, Eric Stull, Ryan (Stephanie) Soave, and Joe (Azzy) Soave; his great grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Steven) Pena, Zachary (Rebecca) Checkley, Jared Checkley, Andrew Stull, Wyatt Stull, Ella Stull, Jack Soave and Lola Soave; his great-great grandchildren, Chase Pena, Hudson Pena, and John Checkley; his brother, Roger Houtman; his step-children, Tim (Joanne) Burkitt, Bruce (Lori) Burkitt, Tom (Linda) Burkitt, Kelly (Leslie) Burkitt, and Jan (Randy) Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Florence Houtman; his son, Burton “Jim” Houtman; his siblings, Harriet Robinson, Wes Houtman, and Marlene Pendowski; and his parents.
There will be a committal service for Burt beginning at 11am, Friday, October 4, 2024 at Lakeside Cemetery, Decatur. A celebration of life gathering will be held immediately after at the VFW, Decatur. Memorial contributions may be given to the VFW-Post 6248, 560 N. Phelps St., Decatur, MI 49045 or to the Decatur-Hamilton Fire Department, 420 W. Delaware St., Decatur, MI 49045.
Burt was born August 20, 1927 at his home in Decatur. Burt graduated from Decatur High School and married his first wife, Florence Barrett. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a member of the Sea Bees during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning to the states, Burt worked for General Motors for many years before his retirement. In 1985, he married Gloria (Long) Burkitt and together they enjoyed 35 years of traveling together, especially to the southern states and with their antique car “touring” group.
Burt will be missed by his wife, Gloria Houtman; his children, Deborah (Ken) Stull, and Suzanne (John) Soave; his grandchildren, Jill (Craig) Checkley, Kevin Stull, Kyle (Katie) Stull, Eric Stull, Ryan (Stephanie) Soave, and Joe (Azzy) Soave; his great grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Steven) Pena, Zachary (Rebecca) Checkley, Jared Checkley, Andrew Stull, Wyatt Stull, Ella Stull, Jack Soave and Lola Soave; his great-great grandchildren, Chase Pena, Hudson Pena, and John Checkley; his brother, Roger Houtman; his step-children, Tim (Joanne) Burkitt, Bruce (Lori) Burkitt, Tom (Linda) Burkitt, Kelly (Leslie) Burkitt, and Jan (Randy) Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Florence Houtman; his son, Burton “Jim” Houtman; his siblings, Harriet Robinson, Wes Houtman, and Marlene Pendowski; and his parents.
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