ARNOLD “ARNIE” WIERSEMA, 86, of 701 Melody Court, Apt. #3, in Morrison, IL, died on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, at Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison, IL.

Arnie was born on December 2, 1923, in Fair Haven, IL, to Peter and Etta (Eissens) Wiersema. He was educated in the Fair Haven schools. He married Dorothy M. Hook on June 20, 1945, in Morrison, IL. She preceded him in death on March 3, 1996. During WWII Arnie worked for the Savanna Army Depot. He farmed in the Chadwick, Sterling, and Morrison areas. Most recently, he drove a truck for Freeport Fast Freight in Sterling, IL, retiring in 1983. Arnie was a member of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison, where he served as a deacon. He was also a member of the Teamsters Union Local #705 and the Morrison Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, crossword puzzles, and playing cards. Arnie enjoyed making specialty hangers for family and friends and loved making bread and pies.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary J. (Ron) Pilgrim of Morrison, IL; two sons, Ronald (Louise) Wiersema of Morrison, IL and Rodney (Beth) Wiersema of Pella, IA; eight grandchildren, Melissa (Kevin) Johnson, Lance (Lacey) Wiersema, Karla (Jason) Stewart, Jana (Charles) Voorhis, Mike (Anne Dahner) Knott, Justin Knott, Eric Knott and Jasmine Ainetchian; fifteen great-grandchildren, Brandon Knott, Jacob Knott, Daekota Knott, Olivia Knott, Jordan Price, Brenton, Brittney, Logan, Taylor and Allen Johnson, Carter Seamer and Cora Wiersema, Allan and Sarah Bowen, and Charles Voorhis; two sisters, Dorothy (Jay) Van Zuiden of Fulton, IL and Evelyn (Willard) Van Zuiden of Albany, IL; three special friends, Marge Wilkins of Morrison, IL, and Hassan (Miriam) Ainetchian of Dallas, TX.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and three brothers, Harvey, Harold, and Laurin Wiersema.

FUNERAL SERVICE:  10:30 a.m., Monday, February 22, 2010, at Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL

OFFICIATING:  Rev. Philip Stel, Pastor, Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL

VISITATION:  2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home

INTERMENT:  Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL

MEMORIALS:  Resthave Nursing Home