This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: ZICHTERMAN, DENHARTIGH, DYKEMA, VERBRIDGE, SCHRIER Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/27018/mb.ashx Message Board Post: ZICHTERMAN, Mr. A. Herman Of Kalamazoo Herm Zichterman was born in Bradley, Michigan on August 25, 1920, the youngest child of Gerard and Anna Zichterman. He died on September 6, 2010. As a prisoner of war, Herman was told he would be shot if he refused to tell where the rest of his crew landed. He said, "Go ahead and shoot." At the other end of his adult life he cared for his wife Grace every hour until she left this past February. If he said he would hold you, you knew that it would take more than the fear of death to make him lose his grip. He always had time to play catch with his children. He smiled easily and often. He helped dig the foundations for Milwood Christian Reformed Church. He was the construction superintendent for Miller Davis Company on two Christian school projects-South Christian Grade and Kalamazoo Christian High. As soon as the baskets were installed in the high school gym, he made certain that he made the first lay-up at each, and from then on, he seldom missed a game. As retired people, h! e and Grace restored homes of disaster victims and helped build a seminary in Nigeria. He always framed the events of his life, including his early trials as a prisoner of war, with his unwavering confidence in the grace and providential care of his Father. He is with him now. With his new ears, he will certainly be able to hear this accolade: "Well done, you good and faithful servant!" The main beneficiaries of his Godliness are his children, his children's children and more, Chris and Barbara Zichterman, Beth and John Den Hartigh and Steven and Mary Ann Zichterman, all of Kalamazoo, and their families, which include eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Gerben, Jacob and Chris Zichterman, and three sisters, Grace Dykema, Helen Verbridge and Christine Schrier. A private committal service will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors. A visitation will be held fr! om 6-8 PM on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at Milwood Christian Reforme d Church, 3306 Lovers Lane, where a memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Loren Kotman will be officiating. Contributions in his memory may be made to Kalamazoo Christian School Assoc. or Milwood CRC. JOLDERSMA & KLEIN 917 S. Burdick 343-2628 Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on September 9, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.