Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Joel Gilcrest Obituary
Joel lived a life of adventure with unending steadfast love and loyalty for his family, friends, and life's work. He became a pilot at age 15 and began to venture west on many skiing, fly fishing and outdoor adventures. He grew up in the contract furniture industry, eventually expanding the family business with partners, into a primary manufacturer for the hospitality industry. This continued as Billco Products and D R Gilcrest & Associates.
His humble values, faith, generosity, and strong work ethic provided a wonderful life for his family. He was a graduate of Michigan State University, member of Christ Memorial Church and Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. Joel was hilarious and loved the news. His family and friends meant the world to him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Don Robert and Carol Gilcrest, and his in-laws, Robert and Ester DeWilde.
His legacy lives on through his wife, Heidi Gilcrest; children, Lauren and Aaron DeRoo, Emily Gilcrest; granddaughter, Piper DeRoo; brother, Don Robert and Debbie Gilcrest II; sister, Sallie and Tom Prins; sister-in-law, Wendy and Steve Edewaard; nieces and nephews, Rachel and Nathan Visser (Dawson & Leo), Kevin and Kennedy Edewaard; Caroline and Anthony Kammeraad, Elizabeth and Lloyd Miller III (Emerson and Lloyd IV), Alexandria and Matt Barre (Harper), William and Haley Prins (Auroa), Matthew and Josie Prins (Riley), and Peter Prins.
Visitation with the family will be 9:30 am – 11:00 am on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland, MI 49423. Please use Entrance C.
Memorial service to take place immediately following visitation the same day at 11:00 am at Christ Memorial Church.
Burial to be in Graafschap Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Joel's memory to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society at https://donate.lls.org/lls/ or by mail to P.O. Box 98018 Washington, DC 20090-8018.
www.langelandsterenberg.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joel Gilcrest
Sponsored by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home.
Julie Fox
August 23, 2020
Heidi, Thoughts and Prayers to you all. I'm so sorry to hear of Joel's passing. XO
Anne VanTongeren
August 22, 2020
I am so sorry to read about this huge loss to your family. Steve and I have fond memories of happy times with Joel.
Marianne Hobeck Miller
August 21, 2020
Prayers from Marianne Hobeck Miller & Family are with the Gilcrest Family and hoping that the wonderful memories of Joel will help you through this difficult time. As I will always remember his wonderful smile.
Terry Gartelman Gonzalez
August 21, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My sincerest condolences.
Terry Gartelman-Gonzalez
Holland Middle School
Doug Helmink
August 21, 2020
My deepest sympathies about Joel. While we have lost contact over the years as kids we were great friends I will always remember Joel as being somebody who was creative and did things you would not normally anticipate. He will be missed
Paula Dervin
August 20, 2020
Heidi our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this difficult time.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Paula Dervin
Mitch Dervin
Jeff and Molly Dervin and Family
Jill DeWilde
Sally & Rod Reinink
August 20, 2020
Our hearts are heavy for you Heidi, the girls and the rest of your family. We loved the time we would spend with you and Joe golfing and having dinner over the years. His love for you and his love of life radiated in his smile and wonderful laugh. Keep all the fond memories of him close to your heart, we love you.
John Foster
August 20, 2020
Thanks Joel for some memorable ski trips with Heidi, Lauren, Emily and our family at Crystal Mtn. To the family, we are so sorry to hear of Joel's passing and we will miss him very much. He was always a good friend. RIP.
Lisa Trevino
August 20, 2020
My deepest condolences, Heidi. So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Paul and Amy Malus
August 20, 2020
Our deepest condolences go out to Heidi and the rest of the family. We will absolutely miss his visits to the shop, his smile and his kind words. His old Ford was a legend at our shop. I'm not sure on the exact mileage, but I know it was getting close to the 400,000 mark! Rest in peace Joel!
Cher Geerlings Little
August 20, 2020
I am sorry to hear of your loss. May he RIP. And prayers to the family.
Gerry O'Connor
August 19, 2020
Joel was like a brother to me. Even though we kind of lost touch in the last few years. He and I spent many hours enjoying fly fishing and camping in northern Michigan. We worked at Merillat company together and became good friends. He was a great guy and a good friend to me and I will totally miss him.
Heidi my prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.
Betty Roels
August 19, 2020
Sending my deepest sympathy. Prayers of comfort at this difficult time.
Frances Gilcrest
August 19, 2020
Rest in peace Joey proud to be related to you.
CHERYL DEWILDE
August 19, 2020
My deepest sympathy to Heidi and his family. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
'DEATH LEAVES A HEARTACHE NO ONE CAN HEAL ; LOVE LEAVES A MEMORY NO ONE CAN STEAL'
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
Make a Donation
in Joel Gilcrest's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Joel Gilcrest
How to support Joel's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Joel Gilcrest's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
