Chad Overweg

Chad Overweg, a beloved son, husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on September 1, 2024, in Kalamazoo, MI, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, love, and devotion that will be cherished by all who knew him. Born on February 7, 1975, in Vicksburg, MI, to Jerry Overweg and Karen Howard, Chad was a man whose roots ran deep in the land he loved and the family he held dear.

From a young age, Chad's life was shaped by the values of hard work and dedication. He spent his childhood working on his grandparents' dairy farm, where he developed a profound connection to the earth and a deep-seated love for farming. This bond only grew stronger as he assisted his father with crop farming, a partnership that lasted until his father’s passing in 2010. With courage and determination, Chad took on the responsibility of continuing the family’s farming legacy, tending to the land on 31st Street in Vicksburg with the same care and commitment that had been instilled in him from a young age.

Chad’s passion for John Deere was more than just a hobby; it was a lifelong love affair. As a boy, he would spend hours playing with toy tractors in the sand behind the farm, dreaming of the day when he would drive the real thing. As an adult, he became an avid collector of model tractors, each one a symbol of his enduring connection to the land and his respect for the machinery that made it all possible.

For over 30 years, Chad worked for Byholt Excavating, a job he truly loved. His work ethic, skill, and dedication to the job earned him the respect of his colleagues, and he took great pride in the work he did. Even during his illness, for the full 23 months he was away, Chad talked often about returning to Byholt. The camaraderie, the challenges, and the satisfaction of a hard day’s work were part of who he was, and his heart never left the job he loved so much.

But Chad’s life was not all work; he knew how to embrace the joy and adventure that life had to offer. He found happiness in the roar of engines at tractor and truck pull events, the thrill of off-roading on his Yamaha Banshee 4-wheeler across the dunes of Glamis, the rugged trails of Badlands, and the vast expanses of Queen Valley, AZ. He sought solace in the quiet moments spent fishing with his son, Nick, in the warm waters of Florida, and he reveled in the beauty of the Tennessee mountains on family trips that created memories to last a lifetime.

Above all, Chad was a devoted father, and his greatest pride was his son, Nick. He was the kind of father who was always there—encouraging, teaching, and sharing his wisdom. Whether it was supporting Nick in 4-H, cheering him on at soccer games, or patiently guiding him through the lessons of life, Chad was a constant presence in Nick’s life. The bond they shared was unbreakable, filled with moments of laughter and adventure, from riding 4-wheelers together to their cherished trips to Mendon for ice cream at Pam’s Sugar Shack. To Chad, Nick was more than just his son; he was his “dude,” his companion in all of life’s journeys.

Chad was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Overweg, and his stepmother, Cindi Overweg. He leaves behind his loving wife, Jackalyn Overweg, who stood by his side through all of life’s ups and downs; his treasured son, Nick Overweg, who will carry forward his father’s legacy of strength and love; his devoted mother, Karen Howard; his sisters, Shannon (Michael) Boyd and Tricia Willy, who shared in the joys and challenges of family life; and his nieces and nephews, Chase, Drew, Lexi, Tyler, Stella, Abbi, and Olive, who will forever remember their uncle’s kindness, humor, and generosity.

Chad Overweg was a man whose life was defined by his love for his family, his dedication to the land, and his passion for living each day to the fullest. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the fields he farmed, the family he cherished, and the many lives he touched along the way. As we say goodbye, we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the time we had with him and the memories he leaves behind.