James A. Olthoff

The funeral service can be viewed here

James A. Olthoff, age 83, of Munster, IN, formerly of South Holland, IL, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Beloved husband of Marilyn Olthoff, nee Van Beek. Loving father of Anne (Barry) DeYoung, Tim (Kathy) Olthoff, Steve (Diane) Olthoff, Linda Olthoff, and Mary Lynn (Mike) Vander Ploeg. Dear grandfather of Dan (Katie) DeYoung, Andrew DeYoung, Lindsay (Frank) Zito, Emma (Jared) Kortokrax, Kari DeYoung, TJ (Kalee) Olthoff, Katie (Josh) Larson, Stephanie (Zack) Turco, Brittany (Jimmy) Reedy, John Olthoff, Ben Vander Ploeg, Maddy Vander Ploeg, and Evan Vander Ploeg; great-grandfather of Cayden, Brendan, and Ally DeYoung, Josiah and Adalyn Larson, Phoenix, Sailor and Koa Reedy, Thea Olthoff and Millie Zito, and one great-grandchild on the way. Dear brother of the late Phyllis Botma Verbeek. Kind uncle of several nieces and nephews.  Preceded in death by his parents George and Mary Olthoff.  Jim was a retired engineer from Caterpillar Inc. with 43 years of dedicated service.  He was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Jim's faith and love for God was the cornerstone of his life.  He served for many years as an elder and beloved Sunday School teacher at Calvary Reformed Church in South Holland.  In his free time he enjoyed taking care of his yard and garden and doing various home improvement projects.  He and Marilyn also enjoyed traveling both as a couple and with family.  Many great family memories were made on special trips with their children and grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be given to Illiana Christian High School https://www.illianachristian.org/ or Mission Aviation Fellowship https://maf.org/

Visitation Sunday, March 21, 2021 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN.  Funeral service Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 3500 Glenwood-Lansing, Rd. Lansing, IL. Interment Oak Ridge Cemetery – Lansing, IL.  For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit www.SMITSFH.com