Cornelia "Corky" Tillema

Cornelia (Corky) Tillema, of Holland, Michigan, died on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at the age of 96, in Holland, Michigan. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on July 14, 1919, the daughter of the late Earl and Nellie (Pikkaart) Musser. Cornelia married Gerald Tillema on August 22, 1940, who preceded her in death in November 22, 2014.

Cornelia was a long time member of Third Reformed Church of Holland. Her faith and her family were the two defining features of the good life that she lived. She was an exceedingly kind and humble woman, a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Cornelia is survived by three children, Peggy (Ted) Trimble of Ann Arbor, Mary (Tom) Zmolek of North Muskegon, and Anne Tillema Slachta of Holland, as well as her daughter-in-law, Linda Tillema (Jim) of Tucson, Arizona, and sister, Kathleen (David) Wheatley of Sun City, Arizona. Cornelia is also survived by seven grandchildren, Allison Miller, Randee Trimble, Sara (Karl) Verburg, Emma Slachta, Stephen Slachta, Kate (Brian) Jackson, and Laura Zmolek; eight great-grandchildren, Paul, Christopher, and Margaret Miller, Ani Verburg, and Maximillian, Conrad, Genevieve, and Aneliese Jackson. Additionally, Cornelia is survived by brothers-in-law Don (Eleanor) Tillema and Jay (Beverly) Tillema; sisters-in-law Hilda Zwaagman and Henrietta Griffioen.

Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gerald, and son, Jim Tillema (May 14, 2015).

The family would like to express its gratitude for the excellent care given to Cornelia by the staff of the Royal Atrium Inn of Zeeland and Freedom Village of Holland, as well as to the staff and members of Third Reformed Church for their wonderful pastoral care.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Third Reformed Church; 111 W 13th Street, Holland, MI. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Third Reformed Church, Hospice of Holland, or Western Theological Seminary. A private burial will occur at a later date.