Passed away Friday, March 30, 2012. Joe was born October
28, 1928 in Kalamazoo, a son of Rudolph and Gertrude (Takens) Balkema and was a
lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. On June 30, 1950, he married Margrete Batts, who
survives. Joe is also survived by their children, Ann (Eddie) Randol, Ralph O.
(Nancy) Balkema, Nancy (Dan) Naugle all of Kalamazoo and Barbara (Gary) Campbell
of Paw Paw; 10 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; a brother, John (Dorothy)
Balkema of Kalamazoo; a sister, Grace (Bernard) Bruining, of Hudsonville; a
sister-in-law, Mina Balkema of Kalamazoo; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law,
Leonard (Jean) Batts, Eleanor Batts, Ruth Batts, Otto (Ruth) Batts, Tony
(Flossie) Batts and Clarence (Linda) Batts; many nieces and nephews. Joe was
preceded in death by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Pete (Marie)
Balkema, Henry (Josephine) Balkema, Louwina (Jelke) Huttinga, Jennie (Jake) De
Haan, Bertha Balkema, Lena Balkema and Ralph Balkema; brothers-in-law, John
Batts, Bert Batts and Wayne Batts. He was a faithful hard working husband,
loving father and devoted grandfather. His passion was truck driving, which he
started at age 14, delivering celery to Chicago. He gave up his dream of over
the road trucking to be with his family, but in later years he was able to haul
heavy equipment for Balkema, Inc., with his four trucks, all named "Little
Margrete". He was happiest behind the wheel of anything-truck, boat, cycle or
whatever. He could not swim or even be in water, but he bought a boat so every
Friday he could take his children and grandchildren skiing. Over 50 people
learned to ski behind Joe's boat. He also enjoyed tractor pulling and in 2010,
was inducted into the Michigan Antique Tractors Hall of Fame and was a member of
the Lakeshore Pullers. He worked most of his life as a mechanic at Balkema,
Inc., and was known by everyone there as "Uncle Joe". Since his retirement, he
has always had a mechanical project restoring something at "The Shop". He was a
member of Calvary Bible Church, and for many years drove a bus to bring in those
who were not able to drive. He was a volunteer worker at Camp Barakel for many
years. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Calvary Bible
Church, 855 S. Drake Rd. with Dr. John Barnett, officiating. Interment will take
place in Riverside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland
Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. on Monday from 2-4 and
6-8 PM. Memorials may be given to Camp Barakel or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
