In loving memory of John Sidney Huitema. July 27 ^th , 1952-May 5 ^th , 2024

John Sidney Huitema, age 71, was called to his heavenly home on Sunday, May 5 ^th , 2024. John was a gifted businessman with an adventurous heart who loved the outdoors. At age 18 he went on a 3 month long road trip with 3 of his friends traveling from Michigan to Florida, California and Mexico. He loved visiting new places and fell in love with the giant redwoods in California on his trip in 2012 to see his daughters.

His hobbies were fishing, hunting and motorcycling; refurbishing and enjoying hot rods, antique cars, motorcycles and boats. He loved to be outdoors in nature and near water, especially with his children.

He had fire red, curly hair with a wild, eccentric personality to match it. He left an impression with whomever he had contact with. He loved making people laugh and pulling pranks on others. Being a goofball came naturally to him. His humor & laughter will be missed greatly.

Acts of service were his love language and he loved helping others in this way.

He was brave & fearless in entrepreneurship, switching careers many times in his life. A creative and skilled jack-of-all-trades from concrete worker, auto body/mechanic, builder, carpenter, welder, restaurant owner, pig farmer, stump grinder, to many more talents. He prided himself on being able to figure out how to fix anything.

He was preceded in death by his son Lukas John Huitema, sister Barbara Hall, and his parents John and Eleanor Huitema. He will be lovingly remembered by his two daughters, Rebekah Huitema and Laura Priebe, son-in-law's Timothy Priebe & Jarrod Spencer, two grandchildren, Timothy Jr and Monike Priebe, and his brothers and sisters, Carol & Perry Verbeek, brother-in-law Dave Hall, David & Robin Huitema, Randy & Maxine Huitema, Duane & Terri Huitema, Nancy & Dave Hop and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on his birthday, July 27th 2024, at Home2Suites hotel's conference room at 2288 64th St SW Byron Center, MI 49315 from 1-3pm. A private celebration of life will be held afterwards. He will be laid to rest at his requested favorite place, Lake Michigan, on July 28 ^th , 2024.