Holovka, Edward A. PhD age 87, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 8, 2019. He was born on December 7, 1931 and raised in the shadow of the coal mines in Windber, PA during the Great Depression to parents Michael and Anna (Danko) Holovka. He admired his immigrant parents from the Ukraine and Slovakia who raised nine children through hard work and devotion to family. His father was a coal miner for 42 years surviving two mine cave-ins while his mother cared for the family and both attended to the large garden and food-producing animals. Edward was the eighth born and a good student throughout school as well as earning letters in baseball and basketball. He joined the U.S. Army weeks after graduation and served during the Korean War and the active Army Reserves afterward with ten years of service achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. During that time, at duty station in Springfield, MO, he met and married June Triplett. With the college GI bill, they moved to California where he obtained his Associates of Arts Degree from now Diablo College, then to Pennsylvania State University for the Bachelor of Science Degree, both with honors and Phi Beta Kappa recognition. He then obtained his Master of Science Degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later the Doctor of Philosophy from Wayne State University, all in Psychology. Dr. Holovka had a long 51-year career working as a clinician and school psychologist in Port Huron at the Mental Health and Child Guidance Center, schools in St. Clair County, the Muskegon Regional Center and the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. Dr. Holovka was also in private practice with Dr. Dominic Amante and provided contractual psychology services throughout West Michigan where he especially enjoyed working with children and the schools. Dr. Holovka was also an adjunct professor and taught at Wayne State University, Grand Valley State University and off-campus for Michigan State University. His added research and grant-writing helped to bring numerous new programs for special education students including the first program in Muskegon for autistic children, child abuse and others. Ed enjoyed many activities including family camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, tennis, and staying in touch with extended family out of state. He was an accomplished woodcarver and shared his work with others. Ed was a strong environmentalist and protected the environment by planting trees. His marriage ended in divorce after 29 years and he later married Diana (Noble) Hopwood, sharing many enjoyable years together. He and Diana were a team in his later travels, private practice and volunteer work. His travels took him throughout the United States and Canada, Europe, and six months of teaching in his mother's native land of Slovakia, as well as hiking the Grand Canyon. His keen interest in children and youth led to volunteer work and mission trips to Haiti, Mexico, Louisiana, and Ukraine working with abused and neglected children and on the Muskegon County Foster Care Review Board and State of Michigan Advisory Committee, the Holton School Board, president of the Friends of Musketawa Trail for 21 years, and other various ad hoc committees. He was a long-time and active member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, the Holton American Legion, national and state professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, and the Michigan Association of School Psychologists. He leaves behind his wife, Diana Holovka, his son, Michael (Debbie) Holovka, his daughter, Terry Holovka Boothroyd, his step-daughter, Sandra Hopwood, his step-son, Brian Hopwood, and grandchildren, Michael Jr, Jacob, Joshua, and Guinevere, all who reside in West Michigan. He has many nieces and nephews living throughout the U.S. and always kept in touch through writing a family newsletter. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Anna Frazer, Mary Christon, Sue Killian, and Helen Weaver and brothers, Michael, John, George and Patrick. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Saturday, October 19, 2019 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, (1110 Dykstra Rd.) with Rev. Fr. Anthony M. Pelak presiding. Military Honors will be offered by the Army National Guard and the Muskegon County Council of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Friday, October 18, 2019 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444 and one hour prior to Mass, 10-11 AM Saturday at the church. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Friends of the Musketawa Trail (www.musketawatrail.com) or Hospice of Michigan (www.hom.org). Sign the guestbook online at www.sytsemafh.com
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Judy Bolizsar
December 3, 2019
My deepest sympathy to Ed's family. Ed was an interesting gentleman, who had such passion for the things that he loved. He will truly be missed.
William Garrett
October 23, 2019
It was an honor to have known him !
October 23, 2019
Deepest sympathy to the family of Ed. I met Ed at the MHP Cardiac Rehab Phase III program 2 yrs ago.I commented on his pressed clothing and he mentioned he learned that in the Army. I thanked him for his service and told him I would remember his name because I had a brother named Ed. I looked forward to seeing him and conversing with him. I will miss him.
Mary Suchy
Acquaintance
October 17, 2019
MAY the road rise to MEET YOU. May the WIND be ALWAYS at your BACK. MAY the SUN SHINE WARM upon your face and UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. MAY the LORD hold you in the PALM OF HIS HAND. You Will Be Missed.
BARRY FUHRMAN
October 17, 2019
Diana, and all that knew and loved Ed, you have my sincere condolences. I met Ed through my Father Terry Slayton. They would hunt and fish together and stop in at my farm for a visit. Ed was a very special man, I always enjoyed seeing him on these occasions. I'm sure my Dad and Ed and Jim Fagan are enjoying reuniting along a heavenly trout stream...God Bless them all. They all hold a special place I'm my heart.
Strength and peace in the days to come.
Margot Slater
October 15, 2019
My sincere condolences to all family members. Ed was such an impressive person and I didn't even know all of what I just read.
We met after Mass at Prince of Peace 20+ years ago and he never failed to stop and chat if we crossed paths usually sharing information about our common Ukrainian heritage. I am so sorry for your loss.
Greg Huryk
October 15, 2019
Dear Diana and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy over the loss of Ed. We will remember his gentle spirit, love of the outdoors and his commitment to family and community. But most of all, we will remember all of the good times we had together. Thanks for being in our life Ed, you made it better, brighter and much more interesting.
Love, Becky, and Roy Brown
October 14, 2019
Diane and family, my condolences to you in the loss of Dr Ed. At the MAISD I had the privilege of getting to know Dr Ed. What an awesome gentleman and educator he was! I am blessed to have known him and his kindness toward all. May God give you peace and strength in the coming days.
Laura Sikkenga
October 13, 2019
Edward Hurst Jr
October 11, 2019
Ed was an intelligent, caring and giving man. He enjoyed the trails and giving back as a volunteer and leader. He also shared his wealth of knowledge and experience freely. He will be greatly missed by many, myself included. I'll miss our chats during volunteer time and hearing about his lifetime of experiences.
Many thoughts and prayers to his abundance of family and friends.
Tim Nink
October 10, 2019
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Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services - The Lee Chapel6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444
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Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services - The Lee Chapel6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444
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