Obituary: Tim LeMahieu, 70, of Mears.

February 22, 2022

Tim LeMahieu

Obituary: Tim LeMahieu, 70, of Mears.

Tim LeMahieu, 70, of Mears, went home to be with his Lord on February 16, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on July 8, 1951, to Warren and Josephine (Vreeke) LeMahieu.

Tim was blessed with a joyful, optimistic, and adventurous spirit. He loved people unconditionally and liked to make them laugh. Tim graduated from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois, and fully intended to make the YMCA his life’s work; however, the Lord had other plans for him. He spent his life enhancing the lives of children and young people. After working for both the Sheboygan YMCA and Manitowoc YMCA, Tim held positions at Kent County Child Haven, Wedgwood Youth and Family Services in Grand Rapids, Catholic Charities in Ludington, and finally was a juvenile probation officer at the Oceana County Courthouse in Hart. He was an elder and youth leader at Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, and also spent many years helping to organize youth conventions for Youth Unlimited. Tim organized and led a teen center at New Hope Community Church in Shelby.

Tim loved music and sang in choirs, musicals, and praise teams. He once danced in a production of the Nutcracker Ballet. Tim loved bicycling, tent camping, traveling, and walking his beloved dog, Brett, on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. He liked movies, Johnsonville brats, Pepsi, and the Packers. Tim’s grandchildren were his pride and joy. He attended their school events with camera in hand and was always the loudest fan at their sporting events. When his wife, Jean, attended seminary and became an ordained pastor; Tim was her greatest cheerleader and supporter.

Tim is survived by: his wife, Jean; his children, Chad LeMahieu, Jenny (Joshua) Gela, and Amanda LeMahieu. He regretted having to leave his adored grandchildren, Megan LeMahieu and her fiancé Tim Bourassa, Eli, Andrew, and Josh LeMahieu. He also leaves behind his siblings, Tom (Nancy) LeMahieu, Kaye LeMahieu, and Kurt LeMahieu; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Joyce Hoolsema and Al Postma, Joan Kortman, Dick (Vicki) Hoolsema, Mary (Phil) Kiemel, and Bob (Sue) Hoolsema; and many special nieces and nephews.

Tim was preceded in death by: his parents; his sister-in-law, Carol LeMahieu; and brothers-in-law, Dave Tubergen and John Kortman.

Memorial services will be held in late June.

Tim has requested any memorials to be given to the missionary work of Jenny and Joshua Gela in Papua New Guinea. Checks may be sent to Wycliffe Bible Translators with a separate note stating: “Preference for the Wycliffe ministry of Jenny LeMahieu Gela, Account #304926, in memory of Tim LeMahieu.” Mail to: Wycliffe Bible Translators PO Box 628200 Orlando, FL 32862-8200. For another way to contribute visit: https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/1A5D2F.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.