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Keith "Kit" VanHaitsma

December 09, 1939 - February 14, 2025

Obituary For Keith "Kit" VanHaitsma

Keith “Kit” VanHaitsma, age 85, of Falmouth, MI passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 14, 2025 surrounded by his family. Kit was born December 9, 1939 to Titus and Sadie (Jenema) VanHaitsma. He married Charlene Dornbos on December 9, 1960 and they were married for 64 years.

He was a lifelong member of Prosper Christian Reformed Church and was instrumental in beginning the first Cadets group for young boys in the church. He also worked with a past minister to start the Falmouth Firework Show; driving to Ohio to pick up all the fireworks in the back of his car. He was a deacon for the church, taught 4H woodworking, was co-chief of the Clam Union Fire Department, and was a groundskeeper for the area cemeteries.

Kit worked as a painter and repairman at auto body shops, and owned his own shop at one time as well. He liked to garden and for several years he had a greenhouse that sold bedding plants. He thoroughly enjoyed woodworking and created wood intarsia and sold it at craft shows after he retired. His other hobbies included fishing, hunting, bowling, cooking, camping, and traveling all over the US and Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene VanHaitsma; children, Cinda (Tom) Jessup, Craig VanHaitsma, Darla (Dan) Baird, Gayle Ebels, Kent (Misty) VanHaitsma, Gwen (Jim) VanderBoon, Sheri (Russ) Rodenbaugh, and Kyle (Tracey) VanHaitsma; 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Mary Jane VanHaitsma, Brad (Karen) VanHaitsma; Kathy Gernaat, Dan (Sharon) VanHaitsma; siblings-in-law, Verla (Henry) Zuiderveen, Muriel Lamer, and Delwin (Vicki) Dornbos.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Titus and Sadie VanHaitsma; parents-in-law, Charley and Anne Dornbos; brother, Rodney VanHaitsma, brothers-in-law, Gerry Gernaat and Jerry Lamer; son-in-law, Paul Ebels; grandsons, Garrett Jessup and Joshua VanHaitsma; and great-granddaughter, Lucy O’Brien.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at the Prosper Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Dirk Koetje officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00PM-7:00PM at the church and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Burial will take place in the Prosper Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Prosper Christian Reformed Church and Northern Michigan Christian School. 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.

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Condolences

February 19, 2025

Carol VanHaitsma

Our sympathy to Char and the whole family. Herman ,Carol and Donna VanHaitsma
February 18, 2025

Jeanne Murphy

I know my words of sympathy for your family won't take away the hurt of your loss, so let me say how I remembered Kit. He was a good man. I delivered paint supplies to him when he was painting cars. He was always friendly and kind. I enjoyed talking to him and I loved the wooden items he made. I had several. We were shirttail relatives and it's always nice to have someone as nice as him to be a friend and relative. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray God to be with you all and give you strength and peace.
February 17, 2025

Paul & Sue Boven

Our sympathies to Char & the entire VanHaitsma family. We shared being grandparents of Kyle and Tracey's kids, Alyssa, Adrian & Ava with Kit & Char and know that Dad/Grandpa Kit will be greatly missed. We're so thankful for the great son Kit and Char raised. Getting to know Kit through get togethers was fun and I will never forget how surprised we were to find out how well he & Char could dance together. Our joint grandson got some of his type of sense of humor! We are out of state so unable to attend the funeral, but our prayers are with all of you. Paul & Sue Boven
February 17, 2025

Frances VandenBoss

You all have my sympathy He was a nice man. Prayers ror your comfort and peace ♡