Clyde Heslinga
Clyde Heslinga
Clyde Heslinga, 79, of Oskaloosa, died July 2, 2012 at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born January 31, 1933 at Oskaloosa, the son of John and Trina Van Wyngarden Heslinga. He graduated from the Lacey High School, and then joined the United States Army. Upon his discharge from the military, he started farming in the New Sharon area. On March 22, 1957, he was united in marriage to Gertrude Boender at Oskaloosa, and Gertrude died March 24, 2005. They moved into Oskaloosa in 1979, and continued to farm. He loved traveling with his wife in their motor home; and cruises and trips to Europe. He enjoyed spending time with his sons as they were growing up by playing baseball, basketball, and even learned to golf (although not seriously) just to spend time with the boys. He was very competitive. Clyde was a longtime member of the First Christian Reformed Church, Oskaloosa.
His family includes his three sons and their wives: Doug and Janet Heslinga of Cedar Rapids, Gary and Trish Heslinga of Detroit, Michigan, and Chris and April Heslinga of Kansas City, Missouri; seven grandchildren: James, Dusty, Scott, Amanda, Jake, Amberly, and Adam Heslinga; five great grandchildren: Tori S. Heslinga, and Zoey, Hannah, Hadley, and Sienna Genzeler; a brother, Gerald Heslinga of Washington state, and two sisters: Frances Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa and Johnita Clinton of Fairfield, California.
Besides his wife, Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers: Warren and John Heslinga; and a sister, Louise Rozenboom.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 5, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with the Reverend Dale Visser officiating. There will be a Family Prayer Service Thursday at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery, Oskaloosa, with graveside military rites given be members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. There will be open visitation at the Bates Funeral Chapel on Wednesday after 12 noon. A memorial fund has been established in his name. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the service arrangements.
