- Date Of Birth: September 14, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 13, 2011
- State: Michigan
SPORTEL, Garry Of Kalamazoo. Garry Sportel was born September 14, 1927, in Kalamazoo, the son of the late Emmo and Tina Mejeur Sportel and went home to be with his Lord on August 13, 2011 in Kalamazoo. He was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and had served in Germany in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In early years, Garry had learned his father’s trade and was a self-employed cement contractor, operating Sportel Brothers Concrete for many years.
He was a member of the Covenant United Reformed Church; a former board member of Park Village Pines and North Christian School and throughout the years he had volunteered for many special concrete projects. He enjoyed bowling and truly enjoyed his home away from home “Peaceful Road Farms” in Martin. In 1948, he was united in marriage to the former Mildred Smit who preceded him in death in 2002. He was also preceded in death by his son, Bruce Sportel in 1965; by his stepmother, Anna Mejeur Sportel and by siblings, Anne King and Henry Sportel. On June 18, 2004, he was united in marriage to the former Evelyn DeKoekKoek who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Paula Sportel and Amy Jim Burns all of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Drexton Sportel, Alyssa, Jordan and Joshua Burns; siblings, Henrietta Post, Arthur Janette Sportel and Bea Flamm; and many nieces and nephews.
