All Obituaries

Jeffrey “Jeff” Donald Koetje, age 60 of McBain, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Jeff was born on July 16, 1965 in Grand Rapids and was adopted by Donald Koetje and Eleanor Bode. Jeff married Rebecca Sue VanDrie at the family home on July 18, 1998.

Jeff drove semi-truck for over 30 years. He loved the mountains and nature and enjoyed them on his motorcycle and annual hunting trips out west. He even made eggs, bacon and potatoes in his “backyard” blind opening day. He lived life to the fullest, he loved hard, complained with a grin and opened his heart selflessly to those around him, a life well lived but taken to soon.

Jeff loved Becki, his grandchildren, and his mom dearly. He was a go to guy of guys, was protective, always building or fixing, a great cook but a better griller, enjoyed shooting his pistols, rifles and shotguns, and had lots of lifelong friends here and afar. Jeff had a beautiful voice and played the guitar in a band and at church and on special occasions.

Jeff is survived by his wife Rebecca Sue, mother Eleanor Karsten, birth mother Betty Simmons-Billings, children; Jordan (Lisa) Hoekwater, Ryan (Taylor) Hoekwater, Dora Herweyer, Ryan, Christopher and Jeremiah Koetje, grandchildren the light of his life; Franklin and Maeve Hoekwater, siblings; Sheryl (Jeffery) Whitehouse, Lincoln (Joy) VanDrie, Heidi (Joey) Roberts, Jodi VanDrie, Linda (Butch) Westdorp, Jon Larr, Larry (Marcie) Larr, Kraig (Kim) Karsten, Kim (Matt) Curtis, Randy (Elizabeth) Karsten, father and mother in-law Les (Carol) VanDrie, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeff is preceded in death by his dad Donald Koetje, in-laws Dave and Vicki Larr.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 6 at the Rehoboth Reformed Church in Lucas with Pastor Kathy Vana officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4-6PM at the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain and one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will be provided at the church after the service; burial will take place in the Richland Township cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memorial donations be made to the Veterans serving Veterans Park of Cadillac. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed to the family by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com