WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Alvin John Poortenga “Big Al”, age 82, of Colon, closed his eyes on Friday, January 13th, 2026 and found himself waking up in the arms of his savior.
Al was born September 11, 1943 in Hammond, Indiana to Peter A. and Ann (Ipema) Poortenga. He was raised in Lansing, Illinois.
Al started working with his father at the age of 5, peddling fruits and vegetables to the neighbors. He was a truck driver and heavy equipment operator for nearly 50 years. Al was Superintendent of Lansing Public Works for the main part of his career. He was hard working and always willing to help his friends and family. There were many years that Al worked two or three jobs at the same time just to provide a beautiful life for his family. Al married his sweetheart, Shirley Kuipers on September 22, 1961 in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He and Shirley raised their family in Lansing, Illinois. Al and Shirley moved to Colon, Michigan in 1996. He continued to work at Tomlinson Lumber in Colon until 2010 when he finally took his well deserved retirement.
Al was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Shirley Ann Poortenga in 2011; great granddaughter, Kasey Castellanos; parents, Peter and Ann Poortenga; sisters, Delores Jean Poortenga and Karen Poortenga; brother, Peter Poortenga Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Chuck Underwood and Jerry Watts.
He is survived by his loving companion, Carol Speece of Colon; children, Pamela and Remo Garritano of Jacksonville, FL, Michael and Kelli Poortenga of Colon, Robin Poortenga of Jacksonville, FL, and Crystal and Daniel Powers of Schererville, IN; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, Rachael Spires (Talan, Kylie, Aubrie), Brittany and Adam, Samantha and Klarke (Kaiylah, Kourtney, Kami Jade, Klarke Jr.), Colton (Letti), Kendall (Grace Lyn), Cameron and Katelyn (Malakhi, Isaiah), Brandon and Kaity, Kyle and Kayla (Kolter and Kash), Breanna and Codie (Benjamin, Danielle and Arabella), and Madison and Joel Matthew; siblings: Ruth Underwood, Elaine and Dewey Vander Noord, Sandy and John Heys, Bob and Linda Poortenga, Dave Poortenga, and Lois and Dave Nelson; and sister-in-law, Sharyn Watts, Lindsay Poortenga and Jan Poortenga and many extended family members.
Family will greet friends and relatives from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19th, 2026, at Schipper Funeral Home, 308 S Blackstone Ave, Colon, MI 49040. The funeral service honoring the life of Al Poortenga will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, following a one-hour visitation prior. Pastor Clint Zehr will be officiating. Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to either Boys Town, PO Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010 or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
