On Friday April 20th of 2018 the spirit of Charles John Bylsma left this earth in peace and love. Charlie was born on May 3, 1948 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up in the home that his parents, Harvey and Bea Bylsma, built in Wyoming, Michigan. Charlie was named after his two grandfathers: Charlie Plas, a farmer, and John Bylsma, a painter. Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sharon (nee Dolfin), children Bjorn (Shanna) Bylsma and Amber (Brandon) Gorby, grandchildren Addyson, Wyatt, Charlotte, Olivia and McKinley, brother Jay (Karen) Bylsma, sister Marilee Bylsma, sister in law Barb Mead, brother in law Larry Dolfin, sister in law Nancy Bylsma, Aunt Char (Jim) Schipper, Aunt Sue Grassmid along with several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Bea (nee Plas) Bylsma. Charlie greatly appreciated all of his friends and neighbors who helped him or spent time with him over the years. Charlie loved his family and traveling the country and appreciated its people, cultures and natural beauty. He worked with trees and wood; building furniture, turning bowls and plates and designing and building his own home. He enjoyed collecting and restoring antique vehicles including his prized 1950 GMC Suburban that he had dreamed about driving down old Route 66. He also spent time hunting and fishing and was a veracious reader of many interests. He was employed by the City of Grand Rapids in the parks department, cemetery, water department and retired as a Supervisor in the Environmental Protection department. He believed in human and civil rights, providing leadership in the Grand Rapids Independent Employees Union during his thirty years working for the city of Grand Rapids, including being a leader in the strike of 1980 and served as union President from 1995-1999. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday April 24, 2018 from 1PM to 3PM and 5PM to 7PM at Stegenga Funeral Chapel located at 1601 Post Dr. NE, Belmont, MI 49306. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Nature Conservancy or Great Lakes Caring Hospice. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles John Bylsma please visit our Sympathy Store.
APR 24. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
Stegenga Funeral Chapel - Belmont
1601 Post Dr. NE
Belmont, MI, 49306
[email protected]
https://www.stegengafuneralchapel.com
APR 24. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
Stegenga Funeral Chapel - Belmont
1601 Post Dr. NE
Belmont, MI, 49306
[email protected]
https://www.stegengafuneralchapel.com
So sorry for your loss. Charlie was a smart and good man. Sally and Dale Huizenga
- Sally Huizenga
Sending lots of love and condolences to the Bylsma family during this difficult time. We know Charlie is a much brighter and pain free place, he will be sincerely missed by all. Love the staff at The Skincare Center & Spa.
- Dawn Pickard
The family of Charles John Bylsma created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories.
- Louis Welke
Sending my deepest sympathy to you, Sharon, Bjorn, and Amber. Keeping you all in my thoughts. -Kristina Delamar
- Kristina Delamar
Sylvia Frattallone and Mark Baragar purchased the Fiery Lily and Rose for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Sylvia Frattallone and Mark Baragar
Sapphire Skies Bouquet was purchased for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Sapphire Skies Bouquet
Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Country Basket Blooms
Oh Charlie, though it seems like a lifetime ago. At my age of seven, we were definitely in different circles because of our ages. I remember you as a tall loving teddy bear that had too many little girl cousins. A man of great height, caring for the very small with a big heart. You cuz, Mikki Sechen (Tapia-Ruano)
- Mikki Sechen
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Beautiful in Blue
Charlie Bylsma was a man who cared. And, for Charlie, caring almost always meant taking sides. And, the side that Charlie would take without fail was the side of the “common man”. Charlie saw the world through the lens of the labor union movement during the Industrial Revolution 100+ years ago - the powerful and the powerless, the bosses getting rich and the workers making pittance in unsafe mines and sweatshops where they gave their lives and died their early deaths. Charlie cared. Charlie took a side. And, if you were on that side with him, on the side of justice for the powerless and the misused and abused, then Charlie was your friend. Not just for a day or a season ... but for life. A friend you could trust and lean on; a friend you could rely on. That line of Charlie’s friends is long. It’s not a straight line, of course, everyone all neatly in a row. It’s more like a circle, or perhaps a multi-colored, multi-garbed, somewhat raucous assembly of people from a wide variety of places and stations and histories who share the common grace of Charlie’s incomparable friendship. Charlie created a life in the woods for himself and his family. A retreat from the conflict and the causes out there in the world where marketing and manufacturing and profit-taking reigned. But even here in this safe sanctuary, Charlie’s friends were always welcome. Thanks be to God for all the ways in which Charlie, in his deep concern and advocacy for the vulnerable and the oppressed, in his kindness for and commitment to his friends, and in his love and stalwart fidelity with his family, exemplified divine grace and goodness, living out the image of the God who made him, walked with him and now reclaims him unto himself. And all the angels and the saints repeat, Amen, so may it always be. Hank Kroondyk, the grateful recipient of 53 years of Charlie's friendship
- Henry Kroondyk
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Charles John Bylsma.
- Beautiful in Blue
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