Thomas Jon Harkema, aged 72, was welcomed into heaven on August 8, 2026, after a courageous struggle with dementia.
Tom graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1972. He attended Ferris State University for a one-year welding course and worked for 5 years in the field. Realizing he was more interested in electrical work, he started taking electrical courses through ICS and eventually became a Master Electrician. He had a 37-year career at Parkway Electric, retiring in 2021. Tom spent many years on local commercial construction projects in the West Michigan area. He loved the LORD and was an honest, dedicated, hardworking man, and it showed in his work and daily life.
Tom had an adventurous spirit and was an avid outdoorsman. He spent his spare time working on vehicles and dirt bikes, owning 21 cars and 15 dirt bikes throughout the years. He loved going to the Upper Peninsula trail riding with friends and family and later giving his grandkids rides on his dirt bikes. He also enjoyed hunting and looked forward to trips to Colorado elk hunting with friends. He cherished time at the cottage taking his grandkids on boat rides, tubing, skiing and exploring the woods with them. He was a jack-of-all-trades and will be dearly missed by his family.
Tom was born to Justin and Beverly Harkema in 1953 in Muskegon, Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Lucy (Geerlings); two children Brent Thomas (Arika) Harkema and Andrea Lee (Jared) Fantin. He was blessed with eight grandchildren: Lydia, Cassidy, Raelynn, and Zackary Harkema, and Parker, Bryson, Titus and Everly Fantin who he loved dearly and enjoyed spending time with.
Tom is survived by his brother, Bruce (Susan) Harkema; Brother- and Sister-In-Laws: Joanne Geerlings, Sally and Jerry Moore, Tim and Ruth Geerlings, Mike and Mary Geerlings, Linda and Brad Stephenson, Muriel and Jeff Flaherty, and Norma and Ken Lawson; Stepmother, Mary Harkema, Step-brothers Benjamin Harkema, Joseph and Trish Harkema; and many fond cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Beverly (Ruiter) Harkema, Jason and Thelma (Schrotenboer) Geerlings, and sister Patricia Harkema; in-laws James Geerlings, Beverly Geerlings, and Jack MacDonald.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Harderwyk Ministries, 1627 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland, Michigan. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Wycliff Bible Translators for Zach and Christie Yoder or to CorsoCare Hospice.
Comments