Hisko Timmermans

With a vibrant personality and a heart made of gold, Hisko Timmermans was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was a man of many special interests but it was evident in every way that his family meant the world to him. The more the merrier, as his heart was most content any time he was surrounded by his loved ones. His genuine and good-natured ways of showing affection as well as his terrific sense of humor will forever be remembered by all who knew and loved him. Much of the 1940s were characterized by WWII. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year on February 17th, Hisko was born to Gerrit and Zwaantje (Hulsing) Timmermans in Groningen, Netherlands which now serves as the capital of the Groningen province in the north of the Netherlands. Born the middle child of three children, his birth brought great joy to the family home. The family immigrated to the United States in 1956. Growing up in Michigan, Hisko lived a typical childhood of the times. Athletic in nature, he honed his talents on the soccer field during his high school and college years. He graduated with the Class of 1965 from Portage High. Hisko attended Western Michigan University where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Education. Soon after he finished college he enlisted in the United States Army and served stateside. He remained in the reserves until 1976. Hisko worked for his father at Timmermans Plumbing and Heating, a family plumbing business. Following in his father’s footsteps, he later started his own business, Hisko Timmermans Plumbing Company .and finished his plumbing career at Mall City Mechanical. Hisko was also actively involved in the Vicksburg community. Hisko was married in 1969 to his first wife Diane (Karen) and together they raised three wonderful children; Kristi, Josh, and Matt. There is no doubt that his children were the light of his life. Hisko loved his role as a father and wanted nothing more than the very best for each of them. Later, he met and married his second wife, Barbara, on April 21, 1989, joining her two children; Lisa and Matt with his three and forming their extended family. He and Barbara had known one another for a number of years and ran into one another often in town. They had a great relationship and shared many common interests, so it seemed quite natural when they joined their families together. Hisko was happy to treat her two children as his own and took his role as stepdad seriously. When the children were grown, Barb and Hisko treasured planning trips together and taking vacations over the years. Sometimes, they would just get in the car and travel for weeks stopping off at special places. Most recently he loved spending their winter months in Cocoa Beach in Florida to avoid the harsh Michigan winters. A talented musician, Hisko enjoyed playing the guitar and singing in a local beach band each and every season! He especially loved to play and listen to his favorite tunes from the sixties. A man of many special interests and talents, there was never a dull moment with Hisko around! Active throughout his life, Hisko enjoyed a wide variety of sports. He was known to officiate the AYSO soccer games in Paw Paw as well as play on an adult league at the SoccerZone in Portage. He also played golf, ran in local races, and was a regular member of a spinning class at the Bronson Athletic Club. It seemed nothing ever slowed him down. Even when his family grew to include eleven grandchildren, Hisko remained active and devoted to attending all their special events and even his close friends grandchildren’s events! He modeled for them a lifetime of making the most of life and never took a single day for granted. Hisko never let a single day go wasted on worrying. Even after his diagnosis with cancer, he remained endlessly positive, optimistic and funny. His family only remembers him having one bad day which he was entitled to and the rest he treated with the same bright outlook that helped him reach his many successes in life. Hisko will be deeply missed by his special family and friends. His sense of humor and selfless ways will be his greatest legacies as well as his ability to face life’s greatest challenges with fierce courage. May his loved ones always remember the support he gave to them over the years and his unconditional love and acceptance for each and every one of them. Hisko Timmermans, of Vicksburg, Michigan passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2019, at the age of 72. Hisko is survived by loving his wife of thirty years, Barbara; three children: Kristi (Matt) Hausler, of Petoskey; Josh (Maureen) Timmermans, of OH; Matt (Christina) Timmermans, of OH; two stepchildren: Lisa (Chris) Newman, of Vicksburg; Matt (Marcy) Leonard, of AZ; 11 grandchildren; and two siblings: Roelie (Doug) Caldwell, of Ludington and Garret (Sandra) Timmermans, of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. The family will have a Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday, December 14, 2019, from 10 am to 12 noon, at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). Please visit Hisko’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to West Michigan Cancer Center, AYSO, and/or Generous Hands.