Peter Sturrus

1933 - 2022

Peter Sturrus, of Spring Lake, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, November 27, 2022. He was born on October 2, 1933, in Oak Park, Illinois, to the late Marinus and Catherine (DeWall) Sturrus.

Peter graduated from Western Michigan Christian High School and married the late Betty Dunning, his high school sweetheart, in 1952. He and Betty were both members of the first graduating class of the school, Class of 1951. Their children were also graduates, and Peter has been an avid supporter for many years. Peter then married Carolyn Toxopeus Iversen in 1987.

Peter started his working career at age 14, and was a machinist, tool and die and mold maker by trade. He was 1977 founder and president of Shape Corporation from 1977-1998, and an inventor of products for the office furniture and automotive industries, holding many patents. Peter was also the current vice chairman of the Shape Board of Directors. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977 and received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2011, both from Aquinas College. Peter had a passion for faith-based education and technical industries.

Peter served his community in a number of ways. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at East Muskegon Christian Reformed Church, elder at Second Christian Reformed Church in Grand Haven, member of the Board of Trustees of Grand Haven Christian School, founder and second president of the Muskottawa Cadet Council, member of the first Board of Trustees and second president of Hospice of North Ottawa Community, president of the Custom Roll Forming Institute, and board member of Comerica Bank. Peter's love of God, his family and friends as well as the Shape family, were his foremost attributes.

His avocations were running, biking and traveling. In 1993, Peter participated in biking across the United States in 22 days, in the Paris/Brest/Paris bike race in 1999, and in the RAGBRAI, as well as many organized bike rides throughout Michigan and recreational bike tours with Carolyn in Michigan and Europe. They enjoyed Scottsdale and Cave Creek, Arizona, hiking in the mountains and loving the scenery.

Peter is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children: Duane (Betsy) Sturrus, Cindy (Bruce) Wolffis and Theresa (Stephen) VanDeWalker; daughters-in-law, Susan Edwards and Karen Lawson; as well as 16 grandchildren with 12 spouses; and 17 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Alvin Wagenmaker and John Workman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marinus and Catherine Sturrus; his sons, Randall Sturrus and Gregory Iversen; his first wife, Betty; his siblings and their spouses, Mary (Burton) Tjapkes, Margaret (Alan) Workman, Joyce (Ronald) Webb, John Kleeves, Alan Toxopeus, Fred (Harriet) Toxopeus, Marilyn Workman and Verna Wagenmaker.

The Funeral Service for Peter will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2022, at Second Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. Tim Blackmon officiating. Visitations will be held Thursday, December 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial/love gifts may be given to yours or Peter's favorite charities: Aquinas College, Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin University, Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Grand Haven Christian School, Muskegon Community College/Sturrus Technical Center, Hospice of North Ottawa Community, or Western Michigan Christian High School. Please visit www.klaassenfuneralhome.com to sign Peter's online guestbook.