Steven J. Hoekman of Ripon, CA passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 28, 2023, at the age of 98. Born on April 3, 1925, in New Holland, SD, Steven was one of eight children born to John and Dirkje Hoekman. 

   He received a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, and a master’s degree in history from the University of South Dakota. Steven served as a sergeant in the US Army, stationed in Japan at the end of World War II. He spent his career as an educator for Christian schools in South Dakota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Iowa, and California. He served twenty-five years as the principal of grades one through eight at Ripon Christian School. He was a longtime member of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, where he often served as elder. He filled his days in retirement with reading, crossword puzzles, yardwork, walks, playing with grandchildren, fixing all manner of things and enjoying the company of his beloved wife.

   He was married for 73 years to his dear wife, Jeannetta, whom he met while at Calvin College. Together they had five sons and a daughter. He is survived by his wife Jeannetta, son, Mark (Giny) of Holland, MI; Kent of Reno, NV; Timothy (Carla Connors) of Tallahassee, FL; Joel (Deb) of Ripon, CA; Tom of Folsom, CA;

and daughter Rebecca Chiesa (Andrew) of Hughson, CA, as well as eighteen grandchildren and twenty seven great- grandchildren, with two more on the way. Steven enjoyed his children and all the grandchildren immensely.

   A viewing will take place at Deegan Funeral Chapel in Ripon on Friday, November 3rd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m..

   There will be a memorial service at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, CA on Saturday, November 4th at 11:00 a.m.. Memorial donations can be made to the Hoekman family Scholarship Fund at Ripon Christian School’s Foundation.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Wednesday, November 1, 2023