Obituaries
Obituary for Merle Jacob Bielema
MERLE JACOB BIELEMA, 90, of Thomson, IL, died Saturday, April 9, 2022, at his home.
A private family memorial service will be held with Rev. Michael Hooker, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, IL, and Mr. Ken Renkes co-officiating. There will be no visitation. Cremation rites have been accorded. The Fulton Chapel of the Bosma Renkes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Inurnment will be at Lower York Cemetery in Thomson, IL. A memorial has been established to First Christian Reformed Church.
Merle was born March 25, 1932, in Fulton, IL, to Henry R. and Marie (Diephuis) Bielema, Sr. He attended the York Community School in Thomson. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He married Carol J. Miller on June 9, 1956, in Thomson. She died October 27, 2005. Merle was first employed by BF Goodrich in Clinton, IA, L.E. Myers Company and Savanna Army Depot. He retired in 1995, as a Lock Master of the Lock and Dam 14 in LeClaire, IA. For many years he worked for the York Township road crew. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Fulton, where he was an elder and deacon. He was also a member of the Thomson American Legion for over 50 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Brenda (Randy) Atherton of Thomson, IL and Beth (Joe) Caven of Clinton, IA; one son, Bruce (Lori) Bielema of Thomson, IL; a special niece, Barbara (Don) Mathey of Thomson, IL; seven grandchildren, Erin (Tommy) Miner, April Atherton, Audrey Atherton, Evan (Kadina) Atherton, Annette (Ryan) Clark, Brooke (Leo) Santillan and Courtney Lown, Kaitlin (Andy) Schaver; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Henry (Susan Tappe) Bielema, Jr. of Potosi, WI; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carol; one sister, Wilma M. Ottens-Huizenga; one grandson-in-law, Brad Lown.
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Events
Event Information
Services are private.
Cemetery Details
Location
Lower York Cemetery
Argo Fay Route and Scenic Bluff Road
Thomson, IL 61285
Memorial Contribution
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