James "Jim" Kingma

78 year old, James (Jim) M. Kingma, of Wheatfield, passed away February 15, 2010.

On September 16, 1931, James was born to Gerben and Teenie (nee: Fase) Kingma in DeMotte, Indiana. James was a lifetime area resident, who graduated from DeMotte High School. He married Elizabeth (Betty) VanKeppel on June 8, 1954, in DeMotte.

Jim served in the U.S. ARMY as a forward spotter in the Korean conflict. He was one of many that answered the draft call for a 2-year commitment.  After basic training he was chosen to be a possible officer.  The first step is to attend a Leadership School for more intensive training for several weeks.  This requires a volunteer commitment, which he did. After Leadership School he was sent to Korea to serve with Company M 25th Infantry Division, a well-distinguished unit in several wars before and even now.  He served on the front line that was called the MLR (Main Line of Resistance).  At times he was on an outpost 1000 meters beyond the MLR.  In this outpost the enemy often shelled him, as he stayed in a bunker overnight and called for artillery and mortar support from our troops. After the Cease Fire Jim served as a “shot gun” rider returning truckloads of enemy troops from the railhead at Munson, across that famous Freedom Bridge, to the Panmunjun Village.  He also helped bring back our former POW’s - that could walk.  Ambulances or busses took the rest.  During his time over there he attained the rank of SFC or E-6.  That is one stripe less that a Master Sergeant.

Jim was a lifetime farmer and enjoyed watching the crops grow with his wife Betty, they also own and operate Twin Spruce Christmas Tree Farm.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Betty, children: Joan Keown, Mark (Linda) Kingma, David (Brenda) Kingma, Cathy (Jim) Dykstra, and daughter-in-law Brenda Boelens, and 8 grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Dr. Roy E. (Sonya) Kingma, Harold (Eleanor) Kingma, and sister Henrietta Kingma.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, son Chris, and brother Sam Kingma.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, February 18, 2010, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at the First Christian Reformed Church of DeMotte. Services will take place at 1:00 pm on February 18, 2010, at the church with Rev. Larvn Zoerhof and Rev. Robert Tigchelaar officiating. Interment will take place at the Holland Cemetery, DeMotte, Indiana.

Memorials may be made to the Luke Society and DeMotte Christian School.