Dr. David Paul Holtrop DC and Maxwell David Holtrop

TOWN OF CLEVELAND - Dr. David P. Holtrop, 45, along with his son, Maxwell D. Holtrop, 16, both of 4171 South 15th Street, Sheboygan died tragically in an airplane accident in the town of Cleveland, Jackson County, on Sunday night, June 7, 2009. While their deaths were tragic, they were joyfully welcomed into the loving arms of their Lord and Savior.

David was born on Jan. 29, 1964, in Detroit, Mich., the son of the late Elton Holtrop and Doris (Reitenga) Holtrop Slot. He graduated from Godwin High School in Wyoming, Mich., attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids and graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa in 1989. David served in the US Army Reserves from 1981-87. On June 30, 1988, he married Michelle Bylenga in Chippewa Falls.

David worked as an associate at a chiropractic clinic in Chippewa Falls from 1988-89 before he moved to Sheboygan to open his practice, Creekside Chiropractic Clinic. David is active in various professional organizations as well as having participated in numerous overseas missionary assistance projects.

David was a member of Bethany Reformed Church and also attended Christ the Rock Church in Sheboygan. He was a member of the International and Wisconsin Chiropractic Association where he was awarded the title of Diplomat for the International Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, hiking, canoeing, campfires, canoe camping, flying, family trips, traveling, scuba diving, reading, music, guitar and piano playing, winemaking, walks on the beach, and sitting on the hammock with the kids.

David is survived by: his wife Michelle; two daughters, Sharaya and Sara; and a son Walter, all at home; his mother Doris (Fred) Slot of Grand Rapids, Mich.; two sisters, Karen (Patrick) Burrell of Allendale, Mich. and Kathleen (Grant) Lindsay of Lexington, Ky.; one brother John (Darlene) Holtrop of Arizona; and his mother-in-law Ruth Hennink of Grand Rapids, Mich.; his beloved patients and many friends.

He was preceded in death by: his son Maxwell; his father Elton Holtrop; and parents-in-law, Richard and Doris Bylenga, and Henry Hennink.

Maxwell was born on May 7, 1993, in Plymouth, the son of the late Dr. David Holtrop and Michelle (Bylenga) Holtrop. He attended Cornerstone Christian Academy, Farnsworth Middle School and was a freshman at Sheboygan South High School.

He attended Bethany Reformed Church and Christ the Rock Church with his family. He enjoyed art, drawing, Legos, bass and classical guitar, paintballing, canoe camping, fishing, shooting off fireworks, and most of all, chilling with his friends and brother.

Maxwell is survived by: his mother, Michelle; two sisters, Sharaya and Sara Holtrop; a brother, Walter Holtrop, all at home; his grandmothers, Doris Holtrop and Ruth Hennink, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was preceded in death by: his father Dr. David Holtrop; and his grandparents, Elton Holtrop, Richard and Doris Bylenga, and Henry Hennink.

Celebrations of David's and Maxwell's lives will begin with friends greeting the family from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Bethany Reformed Church on Friday, and also from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at the Bethany Reformed Church with the Rev. Lyle Zumdahl officiating.

Online condolences may be sent to http://www.wenigfuneralhome.com">www.wenigfuneralhome.com

A memorial fund is being established in their memories for the Christian Chiropractic Association Mission Fund and Campus Life.

The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is serving the Holtrop family.