Hendrik G. Jonker

June 25, 1933 - January 23, 2021

Hendrik (Hank) G. Jonker died Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Franciscan Hospital, Lafayette, IN of kidney disease. He was born June 25, 1933 in Spijk, Groningen, NL, the oldest child of Tamme and Jantje Jonker. He immigrated to Tippecanoe County in 1950 to the home of Louis Lenting, his uncle who sponsored him, he worked on his farm and attended Stockwell School. In 1951 he started working at Purdue as a Boilermaker Helper and advanced over the years before retiring in 1998 as a Physical Plant General Foreman of Mechanical Maintenance for the Physical Facilities Dept. While working at Purdue, he was inducted into the US Army. During his service he became a US citizen by attending classes at a University in Tacoma, WA with many Asian war brides. In 1954 he returned to Lafayette on leave to marry Wilma Bouwkamp on August 20 in the Lafayette Christian Reformed Church and returned to the Army until 1955. They have three children, Debra (Joseph) Friday, Steven (Cheryl) Jonker and Thomas (Margo) Jonker, seven grandchildren, Matthew (Erin) Jonker, Melissa (Chad) Summers, Erin (Brian) Welch, Tanja Friday, Tiffany Bellah, Jessica (Sheridian) Denson, Brandi (William) Smith. Great- grandchildren Connor and Cody Welch; Brooklynne, Jordyn, Kinsley Summers; Aden, Addison, Avery Bellah; Treyson Denson; William, Audrey Smith. He loved to collect antique tools, especially planes. He volunteered for the Fairview Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, and his church, the Lafayette Christian Reformed Church where he is a member and has served as both deacon and elder as well as on the Building and Grounds Committee, and the Lafayette Christian School. He was active on the Wildcat Water Board serving as president. Survived by brother Gerrit Jonker, sister Wilma (Be) Hoiting , Deceased sisters Lena and Anna Jonker, sister-in-law Louise Jonker all from the Netherlands. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 1-2pm followed by a private family service at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Reverends Mark and Ashley Bonnes officiating. Interment will take follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Current Covid-19 precautions will be observed along with social distancing and current government attendance guidelines. Masks are required. Memorial contributions may be directed to Lafayette Christian Reformed Church or The Summerville Presbyterian Church in Summerville, South Carolina. A live webcast of the funeral service will be available on our website www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com Click on the link below to watch the webcast for Hendrik ''Hank'' Jonker. https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1116517