- Date Of Birth: October 11, 1934
- Date Of Death: October 3, 2021
- State: Michigan
Beverly Jane Tillema, age 86, went home to be with her Lord on October 3, 2021.
Bev was born October 11, 1934 in Kalamazoo, MI, the daughter of the late Harm and Betty (VanderLay) Yonkers and was a lifelong Portage resident.
She was a graduate of Portage Central High School, and on April 30, 1954 she was united in marriage to Jay Tillema. In her early years she remembers working with her mother planting flowers for John Schuring Greenhouses, and later working in the John Schuring Insurance Agency. For many years prior to her retirement, she was employed as a receptionist by Langeland Family Funeral Homes.
Bev enjoyed acquiring antiques, salt & pepper shakers and collectible bears; shopping and attending craft fairs; and an avid QVC customer.
She was known for her unique talent of cake and cookie decorating. Throughout the years she treasured her beloved dogs. The most important part of her life was caring for her family, especially her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years Jay Tillema in 2020; her son Jerry Tillema in 1996; and her sister Dorothy Klimp in 2013. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Dann Klaassen; two grandchildren Jodi Klaassen and Matthew Klaassen; two great-grandsons Noah and Elijah; a brother-in-law Donald (Eleanor) Tillema and several nieces and nephews.
