- Date Of Birth: September 24, 1932
- Date Of Death: March 27, 2019
- State: Michigan
Garrett John Van Giessen, age 86, passed away March 27, 2019, in Portage, MI. Garrett was born September 24, 1932, in Kalamazoo, MI, the son of Eliza and Martha (Stryd) Van Giessen. He was a lifelong area resident and had served active duty in the U.S Army from 1954-56 and the Reserves until 1965. For many years he was employed as a chemist with The Upjohn Company. Garrett was a member of The Netherlands Reformed Congregation, where he served on the consistory for 38 years.
On March 10, 1955, he was united in marriage to Helen (DeVries) Van Giessen, who survives. Also surviving are their four children Sheryl Van Giessen, Gary Van Giessen, Randall (Trudy) Van Giessen, Mary (Andrew) Kieboom; a son-in-law Leendert Weeda; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; two brothers Jacob Van Giessen, Bart (Anne) Van Giessen; a sister Mary VanBeck; step-brothers Albert (Kris) Sikkema, Jim (Pam) Sikkema; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father Albert Sikkema, and his daughter Sandra Weeda in 2018.
