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649 E. 162nd St.
South Holland, Illinois
Bert Docter Obituary
Bert J. Docter, age 65, resident of South Holland for 47 years, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008 at his residence in South Holland, IL. Mr. Docter is survived by his wife, Sharyn, nee Jacobsma; six children, Bret (Erin), Brad (Anne-Marie), Blake (Laura) Docter, Amy (Dave) Gibson, Bryan and Brandon (Elizabeth) Docter, 11 grandchildren Joshua, Caleb, Josie, Morgan, Chase, Gwendellyn and Samantha Docter, Grant, Will, Adam and Gise Gibson; seven brothers and sisters, Henry (Gertrude), Grace (Wilfred) Hoekwater, Arthur (Edie), Alvina (Albert) Bakker, Hildred (Henry) Hoekstra, Alvin (Joyce) and Hennie Docter; one brother-in-law, Robert (Kelly) Jacobsma; uncle of many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, John and Abbie Docter. Visitation Friday, Jan. 25 from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Memorial Service Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, 11 a.m. both at Faith Church, 100 81st Ave., Dyer, IN, with services conducted by Rev. Bob Bouwer, Rev. Phil Frens and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Mr. Docter was the owner and C.E.O of Docter Enterprises involved as a developer and general contractor; a member of the South Holland Business Association for 27 years, currently serving as President of the Board of Directors; served as Director of the Chicago Southland Third Regional Airport Clearinghouse from 2000 to 2003; a senior member of the Board of Trustees for the Village of South Holland after serving 16 years in 1995; served as President Pro-tem for the Village in 1994 during he President's illness; served on the Zoning Board for four years; as Trustee, he was Chairman of the Community Development Committee and served on the Public Safety and Public Works Committees; served on the Board of Directors for Calvin Christian School; was Past President and 32 year member of the Lions Club and Past President of the South Holland Kiwanis Club; was the founder/owner of Docter Florist for 28 years. Private interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lansing, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to South Suburban College Foundation - Bert J. Docter Second Chance Scholarship, 15800 S. State St., South Holland, IL 60473 or Ingalls Cancer Research Foundation, 1 Ingalls Dr., Harvey, IL 60426 or a Christian school of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Smits, DeYoung-Vroegh Funeral Home, South Holland, IL. For further information. 708-333-7000 or www.smitsfuneralhomes.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Bert Docter
melissa pickle (ryan)
January 31, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Richard & Sandra Martinez
January 29, 2008
Our deepest sympathies and condolences are extended to your family on your loss.
Had the chance to meet Bert at Faith Church and heard many great things about him.
Our prayers are with your family.
God Bless.
Neil J. & Jodi VerHagen
January 29, 2008
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your husband and father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cindy Coyle
January 28, 2008
Dear Sharyn and Family,
A favorite verse of mine. I hope it brings you comfort. With sincere and heartfelt love, Cindy Coyle
An Irish Funeral Prayer
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Everything remains as it was.
The old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no sorrow in your tone.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting, when we meet again.
Scott DeBoer
January 28, 2008
My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Docter family. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I regret not being able to make it to personally offer my condolences.
Sillierine Bennett
January 28, 2008
My sincere condolence to the entire Docter family. I met Bert when I served as an fellow trustee of a neighboring comminuty. He was one of the kindest collegues I had ever met willing to assist reguardless of our economic boundries. Bert dispelled all barriers of race, creed and/or ethnicity. It is with heartfelt symphathy that I too share your loss in spirit and seek to encouragement your hearts.
Sincerely
Former Mayor
Rev. Randall Knoll
January 26, 2008
Bert was one of my favorite Sunday School teahers. He took the whole class on a picnic, gave us all our own baseball bat, and showed he cared for each of us. Thanks, Bert, for being an unforgetable teacher!
Hunter & Suzanne Fisher
January 26, 2008
Our Deepest Sympathy goes out to all of the family
Nancy Byrnes-Dockweiler
January 26, 2008
Brad, I heard about your father from my neighbor Sherry Giordano-LaMonto. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Pat & Craig Orcutt
January 25, 2008
Our prayers and sympathy are with you and your family. (I am a retiree of Illiana FCU.)
Nanette Paterson
January 25, 2008
Bryan and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I met him only once, but he was truly someone special.
You and your entire family will be in my prayers.
Your Co-Worker at the Cook County Assessor's Office
Sam & JoAnn Cutrara
January 25, 2008
We are very sorry on the loss of such a vibrant presence and your beloved one. We can only imagine your grief. We send our true hearts to you all.
He was a wonderful man and we have always appreciated all that he has done for our community and our area.
God bless you all. We are with you. We care.
Very warmest regards,
Sam & JoAnn Cutrara
Nancy Byrnes-Dockweiler
January 25, 2008
Brad, I heard about your father from my neighbor Sherry Giordano-LaMonto. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
neil and kathy verhagen
January 25, 2008
We will uphold your family in our prayers
Bill Greenfield
January 25, 2008
To Brad, Anne-Marie, and your entire family. May your faith in God help you during this difficult time.
Bill and Nancy Greenfield
ANGIE & JOHN CLARKE
January 25, 2008
BRYAN,
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOSS. YOUR IN OUR PRAYERS.
ANGIE AND JOHN CLARKE
Michelle Anderson
January 25, 2008
My sincere condolence goes out to the Docter family. Life seems very hard to deal with when you lose someone you love in death. May you find comfort in the bibles promise found at Psalms 34:18 which says "Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; And those who are crushed in spirit he saves."
Wesley Pratt
January 25, 2008
I am so sadened to hear that Bert has passed. I often called him to check to see how he was doing. He was truly a great man and one of great integrity. I will truly miss him!
Marion Smith
January 24, 2008
My prayers and thoughts are with you. May God comfort and hold you during this difficult time.
Love Marion S.
PhiL Koster
January 24, 2008
My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Docter family, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this extremely tough time.
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