Oliver James Heersink

 Oliver James Heersink, 94, of Modesto, left this earthly life to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 19.

Oliver was born in Alamosa, Colorado to Adolph and Cornelia. He was the 4th of 9 siblings that lived on a dairy farm. His family moved to Modesto, California while he was serving in the Army during WW2 from ages 18-22. He was a guard at a prison in Frankfort, Germany and then a Chaplain’s assistant in La Havre, France.  After coming home from the war, he learned to build houses from a contractor he worked with for 2 years, then he himself became a contractor and continued to build over 24 houses throughout Modesto, many in Del Rio and Sherwood Forest. He also helped build the 1ST Christian Reformed Church on College Avenue and the Tower for KAMB Radio. Oliver eventually added Almond Farmer to his job by buying the family farm and leasing other fields. Oliver spent time volunteering for the church as Deacon and Elder and also for Interfaith Ministries. He was always studying the Bible with his Monday morning guys and had a close personal relationship with his Lord. If you needed wisdom, everyone knew that Oliver had a word from the Bible to guide you.

Oliver met his wife of 70 years, Gerry at the church in Modesto and married in November of 1947.  They have 6 children, Ron( Wendy) Heersink of Connecticut, Eldon( Mariela) Heersink of Ventura, Sandy(Bob) Kamps of Ripon and Linda(Garvin) Cheshier, Deb (Steve) Cimoli, Mark (Lisa) Heersink all of Modesto; along with  19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Oliver has survived his wife who passed in 2018 and all his siblings but one sister, Johanna(John) Klein of Modesto.  Oliver is preceded in death by his siblings Arnold, who died at one year, Jeanette of Alamosa, Geraldine(John)Deboer, Roger(Iwannah) Heersink, David Heersink, Carolyn(Ralph) Westra , all of Modesto, Calvin who died as a child and his brother in law, Charlie Viss and brother and sister in law , Duane and Bev Dengerink. He has living brother and sister in laws, Bill and Charlotte Viss, Gert Viss, Ralph Westra and nieces and nephews who remember him fondly.

The family would like to thank all who took such good care of Oliver in his last year while staying at the Bethany Home and Leisi his caregiver at home.

Graveside Services will be for immediate family only due to the circumstances with the Covid- 19 virus at the Ripon Cemetary.  Remembrances may be made in Oliver’s name to Interfaith Ministries, 120 Kerr Ave, Modesto Ca. 95354 or Bethany Home, 930 W Main St, Ripon, Ca. 95366.