Garret Delger

DELGER, Mr. Garret
of Kalamazoo, Michigan Garret Delger, age 83, died Wednesday afternoon February 20, 2013 in Kalamazoo, MI, and went to be with his Lord. He was born on August 23, 1929, in Kalamazoo MI a son of Lambert and Elizabeth Yonkman Delger and was a lifelong area resident. After Garret served in the US Army from 1950 to 1952 with the 18th Artillery Battalion, he was united in marriage with the former Betty DeFeyter, from Holland, MI, on November 28, 1953. He retired from James River after 37 years of service. Following his retirement, he and Betty spent the winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona where he enjoyed hiking and mountain climbing on the trails and parks there. Garret was an active member of Centerpoint Church in Kalamazoo and attended the Golden Vista Chapel in Apache Junction. He was an avid reader and loved spending time with his family. Garret was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Bennie Delger and a sister, Jennie Clark. Garret is survived by his wife, Betty. Also surviving are: four children and their spouses, Jan Allen Rustad of Baker, MT, Sharon Ross Bierma of Richland, Connie Tim Doorlag of Kalamazoo and Gary Anne Delger of Middleville; 14 grandchildren, Erin Henry Griffith, Sarah Rustad, Allison Cain Kolar, Georgia Rustad, Denise David Samuel, Scott Dawn Bierma, Ray Jenny Rackley, Matt Kim Rackley, Calvin Elisabeth Doorlag, Philip Katie Doorlag, Stephen Brooke Doorlag, Bethany Doorlag, Jonathan Stephanie Delger and Benjamin Delger; 16 great-grandchildren; a brother, John Marjie Delger of Lake Worth, FL; brothers-and sisters-in-law, John Clark, Chuck Jan DeFeyter, Arlene Prins, Alma Merle Boerman and Mary Ann Dileski; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm Sunday, Feb 24, at Centerpoint Church, 2345 North 10th Street. Services will be held Monday, Feb 25, at 10:30 am at Centerpoint Church with Rev. Jason Olson officiating and Garret's grandson, Jonathan Delger, a seminary student, assisting. Burial with military honors will be held 1:30 pm Monday in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should be in the cemetery cortege area by 1:15 pm. Memorials should be directed to Centerpoint Church, the Salvation Army or the Golden Vista Chapel.