Theodore R. Bestervelt

Theodore R. “Ted” Bestervelt, 88, of St. Joseph, went to meet his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, February 24, 2012 at his home in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:30 P.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. Paul Thompson officiating and military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. Private burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Prior to the service, friends may call from Noon until 1:30 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to The Chapel An Evangelical Free Church or Bible Study Fellowship. Those wishing to sign Ted’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ted was born January 22, 1924 in Kalamazoo to Anthony & Alida (Vandenberg) Bestervelt. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1942 and from Western Michigan University in 1949. After high school, he proudly served his country in the US Army during WWII. Ted started his career at Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in Kalamazoo as an accountant. It was there that he met his bride to be Margaret “Peggy” Troost. They were married June 12, 1954 in St. Joseph. In 1956, Ted left Upjohn to join the family business in St. Joseph, Troost Bros. Furniture. He devoted his life to his business, retiring in 2000. Ted was a charter member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Other memberships, former and present include the Downtown Development Association, Michigan Retailers Association,National Retail Furniture Association, St. Joseph Merchants Association, Western Michigan Alumni Association, Economic Club, Toastmasters, Bible Study Fellowship and The Chapel. In his free time, Ted enjoyed fishing and photography. Ted is survived by his wife Peggy; his children Ron (Joy) Bestervelt of Westland, MI, Lori Bestervelt and partner Colette Nellett of Plymouth, MI, Peggy Bestervelt and fiancée Frank Wong of Redmond, WA; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings-Alida Egberts, Peter Bestervelt, Margaret Claus, Esther Connor, Leona Breedveld & Nellie Wiessner.