September 10, 2024
Bradenton, Florida - Charles Francis Kuiper, 94, passed away on September 10, 2024, in Bradenton, Florida. He was born September 6, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Frank and Tina (Dykstra) Kuiper.
He worked most of his life at Horne Building Specialties as a Finishing Carpenter in Grand Rapids, MI, that supplied and installed Pella windows and doors.
Charles served in the Navy for two tours (February 1949-February 1950 & August 1952-April 1954). Charles also attended Calvin College. He volunteered for Meals-on-Wheels.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Jolliffe) Kuiper who he was married to for 71 years; two sons, David and spouse Lyndi, and Richard and spouse Celine; and three daughters, Kathryn (Kuiper) Sack and spouse Bill, Linda (Kuiper) Powers and spouse Steve, and Eva (Kuiper) Solick and spouse Mark; nine grandchildren, Erin (Kuiper) Termolen, Jason Kuiper and spouse Amanda, Lisa (Sack) VanderWerff and spouse Joe, Jackie (Sack) Danhof and spouse Brett, Jerry Powers, Janie (Bradford) Romero and spouse Michael Romero, and Nicholas Solick; ten great grandchildren, Madelyn and Emma Termolen, Michaela and Louis VanderWerff; Natalie and Andrea Whalen; Maddie and Khloe Danhof, Bradford Romero and Taylor Kuiper.
Charles is predeceased by his parents; brother, Bob Kuiper and sister, Eleanor VanderWoude; granddaughters, Angela Kuiper and Kristi (Powers) Pridmore.
Charles had a great love of the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior. He was a member of Burton Heights CRC, Plymouth Heights CRC, Boston Square CRC, Bradenton CRC and Gun Lake Chapel. He served as a Deacon in Boston Square Christian Reformed Church.
Charles had various hobbies and interests including The Kings Choraliers a male chorus of 100 men from Grand Rapids, Michigan, started in 1950. He participated for 0ver 40+ years and provided the "perfect pitch" when the choir sang acapella during its annual concerts.
He enjoyed softball, golf, bowling and fishing.
Charles was a master craftsman in woodworking, stained glass, oil painting, rock collecting and polishing, stamp collecting, rose gardening, morel mushroom hunting, assembled hundreds of puzzles (mostly 1,000 pieces), crossword puzzles, reading, recording big band music, board games and cards.
A Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Bradenton Christian Reform Church, 4208 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street, Bradenton, Florida 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
