Rev. Thomas D. Keizer, age 90, of Grand Rapids, MI died Thursday, January 11, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Marguerite Keizer. Thomas is survived by his wife, Erma Van Dyke Keizer; children, Thomas B. (Celine) Keizer, Gretchen (Edward) Berry, Stephen (Marga) Keizer; grandchildren, Jonathan (Alaina) Keizer, Nicholas Keizer, Benjamin Keizer, Andrew Berry, Elizabeth Berry; sister, Winona (David) Willing; sisters-in-law, Barbara VandeWaa, Judy (Rowland) VanEs; and many nieces and nephews. Thomas graduated from Lansing Sexton High School, Hope College, and Western Theological Seminary. Thomas worked as a minister of word and sacrament for 40 years in the PC(USA). He served churches in Madison, WI; Cadillac, MI; Benton Harbor, MI; Cascade, MI. Thomas served as interim pastor in Princeton, WV; and Port Charlotte, FL. He enjoyed skiing both water and snow, bicycling, golfing, fishing, and hunting. Thomas enjoyed working with church youth groups, and spending time watching his grandchildren’s activities. Visitation will be held 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with funeral services at 1:00 pm and visitation after from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 7495 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Rev. Steve Pierce officiating. Interment Rockford Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope College, 69 E. 10th Street, Holland, MI 49423, Western Theological Seminary, 101 E. 13th Street, Holland, MI 49423, Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 7495 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, or Central Reformed Church, 10 College Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
13 Responses
What a legacy! 40 years of pastoring, the number of lives he touched are too many to count! Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Erma, I am so sorry to hear the news. You and your family will be in my prayers. What fun we had in ministry in Benton Harbor. I shall always remember those times. Memories abound. Mary Lou
A great uncle who taught many to water ski and cared for family and many others
Tom and I are so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad, Gretchen. He sounds like a wonderful man and you were lucky to have so many years with him. May his memory be a blessing.
So many good memories of Tom. Especially taking him water skiing during his 80’s. He had a great spirit and attitude.
Room was the minister at Fairplain Presbyterian when I joined in 1972. He was a minister with whom people could connect. I know he will be missed.
Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers, remembering our special times together, especially my ordination. I’m vacationing in Mazatlan, Mexico at the moment so please understand my inability to greet you personally, Carolyn Wharton Cammenga
We loved “Uncle Tom”. He was a blessing to our lives.. He and my Dad Don Hillebrands were best friends and had a wonderful lifetime friendship. We wish you all much love and peace.. We are grateful for “Uncle Toms” life and the friendship he gave our family!
Myra and Jim Muth
Kevin, and Tori
Aly and Micheal
My condolences to the family, especially my friend, Nona❤️🙏🏻.
It was a pleasure to get to know both Erma and Thomas while I worked at Central Church in 2018. I felt like we had things in common due to the Zeeland connection. I am sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
My thoughts and prayer are with Erma and family. I loved my years at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. Tom was a friend and pastor. We enjoyed many fun gatherings with Tom and Erma. Tom was a special pastor and was always available to talk and to listen. I’m sorry to hear of the loss to his family. Hugs to Erma. Lois Meredith
Although Tom was a bit older than me I remember him and his family well from Lansing as his father Rev. Nicholas Keizer was our minister at North Presbyterian for many years. Clearly, this was the foundation for my faith for which I will always be grateful. May the family be comforted in the knowledge that their ministry was a huge positive influence in so many lives.
We loved his mother at FPC Holland, and so appreciated his comforting our family at a time of health crisis for our parent in Grand Rapids. His son Steve and I had offices at the PLM when I was Stated Clerk. Tom was a calming presence and lived the grace he preached.