Douglas “Doug” Sikkema
June 27th, 1947 - March 3rd, 2025
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Doug's Obituary
Douglas Eugene Sikkema, age 77, of Decatur, Michigan, passed away on March 3, 2025. He left this world the same way he lived in it—surrounded by the beauty he created and the family he loved.
Doug was born on June 27, 1947, in Paw Paw, Michigan, to George and Jennie Sikkema. A lifelong resident of Decatur, Doug's fingerprints are quite literally all over the community he called home. In 1967, at the tender age of 19, Doug was drafted into the US Army and stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. While home on leave in September of that year, he married the love of his life and best friend, Marcia Osmick. Their 57-year marriage was a testament to truly meeting the love of your life at an early age and always knowing that you were meant for each other.
From an early age, Doug wasn't just a dreamer, he was a doer. With hands that could transform lumber into legacy, he built more than just houses and furniture; he built a life defined by craftsmanship and creation. One of his proudest achievements was founding Country Touch, a furniture business that began in his garage and grew to employ over 50 people, with pieces shipped worldwide. If you live in the Decatur area and don't own something Doug Sikkema built or designed, you're probably new in town.
Doug wore many professional hats throughout his life—from being a draftsman, to being in the car business, to owning a Home Improvement store—but his heart always returned to building, designing, and creating. His entrepreneurial spirit was matched only by his perfectionist's eye for detail. As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, Doug's faith was as steady as his craftsmanship. He was also active for many years in the Decatur Commerce Community, supporting local businesses downtown.
Those who knew Doug might be surprised to learn he was an amazing dancer who loved dancing with his beautiful wife, whether at Dance Club in the '80s or commandeering the dance floor at wedding receptions, he never failed to make an impression when he and Marcia took over the dance floor. He was also an avid classic car and Corvette enthusiast, with a particular soft spot for his '61 Chevy Impala, among so many other amazing cars that he collected over his lifetime. Some of his favorite memories were simply driving with Marcia, no destination necessary, in whatever hot rod he happened to own at any given time. Doug could engage a room for hours with his stories and sometimes sarcastic personality, never failing to leave a lasting impression on those he met. He could be the life of the party but was also the friend who would do anything for you if you were part of his circle. A loving father who never failed to tell his children he loved them, Doug made sure everyone knew that Marcia was his best friend and the love of his life. His love for his grandchildren was immeasurable, and his cabin up north in Iron's, Michigan, was one of his happy places where family memories were forged as solid as the furniture he crafted.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Marcia; his children, Brett (Angela) Sikkema, Shannon Allen, and Matthew (Lisa) Sikkema; his grandchildren, Liana Mancillas, Jackson Sikkema, Ava Allen, Jeremiah Wedde, Jordan Wedde, and Ashley Fuller as well as 6 great grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Joyce (George) Barkovich of Paw Paw. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Sikkema, and his siblings Patricia Wolff, John (Woody) Sikkema, Beverly Sikkema, and Sandra Sikkema.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6th, from 4-7 PM, with a funeral service on Friday, March 7th, at 1:00 PM, both at Stark's Family Funeral Home, Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, MI 49045. There will be a luncheon following the funeral service at Decatur VFW. Memorial donations may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, Decatur Human Services, or a charity of your choice.
Doug's legacy lives on in the homes he built, the furniture he crafted, and the family he loved. If these walls could talk, they'd tell you about the man who built them with care, humor, and an unwavering commitment to quality—just like he built his life.
Doug was born on June 27, 1947, in Paw Paw, Michigan, to George and Jennie Sikkema. A lifelong resident of Decatur, Doug's fingerprints are quite literally all over the community he called home. In 1967, at the tender age of 19, Doug was drafted into the US Army and stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. While home on leave in September of that year, he married the love of his life and best friend, Marcia Osmick. Their 57-year marriage was a testament to truly meeting the love of your life at an early age and always knowing that you were meant for each other.
From an early age, Doug wasn't just a dreamer, he was a doer. With hands that could transform lumber into legacy, he built more than just houses and furniture; he built a life defined by craftsmanship and creation. One of his proudest achievements was founding Country Touch, a furniture business that began in his garage and grew to employ over 50 people, with pieces shipped worldwide. If you live in the Decatur area and don't own something Doug Sikkema built or designed, you're probably new in town.
Doug wore many professional hats throughout his life—from being a draftsman, to being in the car business, to owning a Home Improvement store—but his heart always returned to building, designing, and creating. His entrepreneurial spirit was matched only by his perfectionist's eye for detail. As a member of First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, Doug's faith was as steady as his craftsmanship. He was also active for many years in the Decatur Commerce Community, supporting local businesses downtown.
Those who knew Doug might be surprised to learn he was an amazing dancer who loved dancing with his beautiful wife, whether at Dance Club in the '80s or commandeering the dance floor at wedding receptions, he never failed to make an impression when he and Marcia took over the dance floor. He was also an avid classic car and Corvette enthusiast, with a particular soft spot for his '61 Chevy Impala, among so many other amazing cars that he collected over his lifetime. Some of his favorite memories were simply driving with Marcia, no destination necessary, in whatever hot rod he happened to own at any given time. Doug could engage a room for hours with his stories and sometimes sarcastic personality, never failing to leave a lasting impression on those he met. He could be the life of the party but was also the friend who would do anything for you if you were part of his circle. A loving father who never failed to tell his children he loved them, Doug made sure everyone knew that Marcia was his best friend and the love of his life. His love for his grandchildren was immeasurable, and his cabin up north in Iron's, Michigan, was one of his happy places where family memories were forged as solid as the furniture he crafted.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Marcia; his children, Brett (Angela) Sikkema, Shannon Allen, and Matthew (Lisa) Sikkema; his grandchildren, Liana Mancillas, Jackson Sikkema, Ava Allen, Jeremiah Wedde, Jordan Wedde, and Ashley Fuller as well as 6 great grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Joyce (George) Barkovich of Paw Paw. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Sikkema, and his siblings Patricia Wolff, John (Woody) Sikkema, Beverly Sikkema, and Sandra Sikkema.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6th, from 4-7 PM, with a funeral service on Friday, March 7th, at 1:00 PM, both at Stark's Family Funeral Home, Newell Chapel, 83313 M-51, Decatur, MI 49045. There will be a luncheon following the funeral service at Decatur VFW. Memorial donations may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, Decatur Human Services, or a charity of your choice.
Doug's legacy lives on in the homes he built, the furniture he crafted, and the family he loved. If these walls could talk, they'd tell you about the man who built them with care, humor, and an unwavering commitment to quality—just like he built his life.
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