Jay Howard Tillema

TILLEMA, JAY
of Portage, MI

Jay Howard Tillema, age 86, went home to be with his Lord on January 20, 2020. Jay was born October 9, 1933, in Portage, MI, the youngest of six children of Ike and Mina (Sootsman) Tillema. Born and raised on Centre Street, he was a lifelong Portage resident and graduated from Portage Central High School. On April 30, 1954, he was united in marriage to Beverly J. (Yonkers) Tillema. Jay was a lifelong faithful member of the First Reformed Church of Portage. He was a three-sport athlete in high school and was always an avid sports fan, especially a NASCAR and Earnhardt fan.

In his early years, he fondly remembered working in the celery fields, then after high school began working in the electric motor & pump repair business for nearly 50 years. It was well known in the community that Jay was the go-to man for repairs. Jay eventually became co-owner and operator of Midwest Electric Motor, retiring in 1999. In retirement he began a second career working for Country Management Properties with his friend "Boz" for another 18 years.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years Beverly Tillema; their daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Dann Klaassen; two grandchildren Jodi Klaassen and Matthew Klaassen; two great-grandsons Noah and Elijah; brother Donald (Eleanor) Tillema; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his son Jerry Tillema; brothers Jacob and Gerald Tillema; sisters Hilda Zwaagman and Henrietta Griffioen.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 25 at First Reformed Church of Portage (7905 S. Westnedge Ave.) with Pastor Clayton Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00PM on Friday, January 24 at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 411 E. Centre Street. A private burial will be in Portage Central Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Park Place Assisted Living and Wings of Hope Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jay's memory may be directed to Park Place, or Wings of Hope. Please visit Jay's personalized guestbook at https://www.langelands.com