Obituaries
WILLIS “BILL” E. SIKKEMA, 97, of Erie, IL, died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Morrison, IL.
His funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Fulton, IL, with Rev. Daniel Jongsma, interim pastor at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, officiating. A visitation will precede the service starting at 2:00 PM until the start of the funeral. Interment will be at Fulton Township Cemetery. A memorial has been established to Unity Christian School.
Willis was born May 10, 1926, in Garden Plain Township, IL, to Joseph J. and Gertrude (Wilkins) Sikkema. He was educated in the East Clinton Grade Schools and was a graduate of Fulton High School. He married Lois Jean Oostenryk on June 15, 1951, in Garden Plain, IL. She died April 25, 2022. He farmed in the Erie and Albany area his entire life and also hauled cattle and hogs for other farmers. Willis was one of the founding members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. He was a Sunday School and catechism teacher and held about every other position possible in the church, except for pastor. He was active with Unity Christian School where he served on the board. He was a member of United Commercial Travels and the Handicapped Awareness Board. Willis was an avid bowler.
Survivors include one daughter, Christine (Dale) Nichols of Clinton, IA; two sons, Paul Sikkema and Andy (Shelle) Sikkema both of Clinton, IA; nine grandchildren, Billy (Tracy) Ebensberger, Richard (Amanda) Ebensberger, Rebekah Ebensberger, and Rose Ebensberger, Sarah (Eric) Peterson, Rebekah Wheatley, Sarah Abolt, Anna Murphey and Jacob Abolt; sixteen great-grandchildren; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law, Bill Stadt of Rockford, MI and Larry (Pat) Oostenryk of Albany, IL; one sister-in-law, Roberta Sikkema of Thomson, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lois; one sister, Wilma Jean Stadt; two brothers, Robert and Arnold Sikkema.
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Previous Events
Visitation
16
May
1500 10th Avenue
Fulton, IL 61252
Service
16
May
1500 10th Avenue
Fulton, IL 61252
Cemetery Details
Location
701 Fowler Rd,
Fulton, IL 61252
Unity Christian Schools - Fulton, IL
