Visitation:  Friday, January 23, 2026, from 5 to 8 PM at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids 49508. Saturday, January 24, from 10 to 10:45 AM at First Cutlerville Christian Reformed Church. 
Service: Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11 AM at First Cutlerville Christian Reformed Church, 1425 68th St. SW, Byron Center
Cemetery: Winchester Cemetery
Memorials: World Renew https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/f60b2342-2009-422d-b53e-7ff30a456855?639015679779409854

James G. Fennema, age 99, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Jim was born at home in Cutlerville, Michigan, to Gerrit and Lois Fennema in 1926. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, and later attended Calvin College and the University of Michigan, graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  He bought and for many years operated a small woodworking business which became Kentwood Manufacturing. Jim was a lifelong member of First Cutlerville Christian Reformed Church.  His volunteer service included support of the church as well as Cutlerville Christian School and South Christian High School. Jim enjoyed reading, playing golf, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

In his later years, Jim and Mary enjoyed spending their winters in Naples, Florida. Jim and Mary were married for 65 years before she passed away. They were loving parents of Deborah Fennema (John Hengeveld), James Fennema, Jr. (Dawn), Lee Fennema (Brenda), Sally Fennema-Jansen (Bradley Jansen), and Melanie Fennema-Jonker (Joel Jonker). Their grandchildren are Jennie Misner (Jason), Gerrit Hengeveld (Lauren), Jessica Cleveland (Michael), Meredith Fennema (Joshua Hiemstra), Michael Fennema (Grace), Bethany Johnson (Zachariah), Anne Fennema, Luke Fennema, Sarah Cressy (Othniel), Caleb Jonker (Brooklynn), Isaac Jonker (Waverly), Isaiah Jonker (Neveah), and Matthew Jonker. Their great-grandchildren are Ethan and Micah Cleveland, Ivan, Abraham, and Edwin Hengeveld, Salina Misner, Rebekah, Joseph, Matthew, and Isabelle Cressy, Skylar, Cameron, and Harvey Fennema, Henrik and Anders Hiemstra, Taya and Ellis Johnson, Matthew Mariano and Hazel Jonker.

He is also survived by his sisters, Mary A. Fennema and Esther Gerken, his brother, David (Evelyn) Fennema and his in-laws, Jackie Fennema and Doris VandenBerg. He was predeceased by his siblings Irma Fennema, Paul (Donna) Fennema, and John Fennema, as well as Mary’s siblings Lucile (Abe) Postema, John (Flossie), Andrew (Jesse), Edward (Margaret), and Peter (Ruth) VandenBerg.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, January 23, from 5 - 8 PM at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, and prior to the service on Saturday, January 24, from 10 - 10:45 AM at First Cutlerville Christian Reformed Church, 1425 68th St. SW, Byron Center. The funeral service will begin at 11 AM, with Rev. Ken VanWyk officiating. Interment will be in Winchester Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to World Renew. The service will be live-streamed at http://youtube.com/@FirstCutlervilleCRC/Streams.