- Date Of Birth: January 1, 1921
- Date Of Death: March 23, 2016
- State: Michigan
Passed away Wednesday Evening, March 23, 2016, in Bronson Methodist Hospital at the age of 95. Abraham DeVisser was born January 1, 1921 in the City of Kalamazoo to Bastiaan and Pieternelle (Nellie VanGemert) DeVisser. He was raised in Portage, Michigan but graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident.
He met the love of his life, Catherine Drenth, and they were married on October 12, 1943. He served his country in the armed services during World War II (1943-1946) in the 770th Ordnance Company (Army) in the European Theater near the Battle of the Bulge. After the war he worked for a Gibson Guitar parts manufacturer and then was hired by Hammond Machinery Builders, Inc. as a machinist/assembler. He retired in 1985 with 37 years of service. His special interests included gardening, woodworking, fishing, reading, enjoying his grandchildren, and sharing his World War II experiences.
He was a lifelong member of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation. He is survived by his seven children and their spouses: Nancy and Thomas Stryd of Kalamazoo, Arnold and Alyson DeVisser of Kalamazoo, Leonard and Patricia DeVisser of Allendale, Beverly and William Staal of Grandville, Connie and Daniel Phillips of Grand Rapids, Kathleen and Wesley Knollenberg of Hickory Corners, and Ruth and David Anson of Vicksburg; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; wives of two brothers: Betty DeVisser and Dena (DeVisser) Beeke; brother-in-law and his wife: John and Alta Drenth; and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors and good friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 54 years (who preceded him in death on March 29, 1998); an infant daughter: Jeanne DeVisser; two grandsons: Aaron DeVisser and Jonathan Stryd; four brothers: Adrian, Henry (Martha), John (Alberta) and Joe; four brothers-in law: Okko, Joe, Peter, William; and two sisters-in-law: Jennie DeVries and Alberta DeVisser.
