Date of Death: September 27, 2019
Service Details
Memorial services will be held at Riverside Church in Three Rivers on Saturday, Oct 5th, with visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. with fellowship afterward.
Obituary Notice
Jon Michael “Mike” Bosma, 80, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Sept 27, 2019 at his home on Fisher Lake. Mike was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Jon and Virginia (Jakeway) Bosma. He graduated from Portage Central High School and went on to attend Western Michigan University where he earned his degree in Education. He began his teaching career in Comstock Public Schools and then moved to Three Rivers Community Schools where he was a principal at Huss, Barrows, and Park Elementary Schools.
Mike married Pamela Shoemaker in 1985 and their family began soon after with son Drew in 1990, Isaiah in 1991, and daughter Mariah in 1996. The Bosma’s took their children on trips every Spring break and Summer vacation, traveling everywhere from the Eastern Seaboard to the Western National Parks. These joyful cultural learning experiences took them to the Bahamas, St. Maartens, the Mayan Ruins, and many, many places in Mexico. They had so much fun sometimes it was hard to come back, but they usually came home with the same number of kids they left with.
Mike was elected to the School Board in 1980 where he helped oversee policy and procedure to provide the best possible learning environment for kids in the district he loved. When he retired, he needed to stay involved and connected to the community, so he continued on the School Board, as well as the board of the I.S.D. and T.R.A.M. (Three Rivers Area Mentoring).
Mike was a fanatical member of the TR Sports Boosters where he bought, delivered, cooked, and served at the concession stand, always giving 110% to local teams. He loved to make sub sandwiches and cookies for the Frosh & JV basketball players who always had to stay late to watch Varsity. Over the years, Mike helped coach kid’s basketball, Rocket Football, and Little League. He was an outstanding principal and many people said that when he retired, things would never be the same because he understood and looked out for his staff and students alike. He was passionate about education. He instinctively watched out for the underdog, the meek & mild among us who needed a smile and a good word. He was friends with folks of every stripe. He remembered kids from decades past and could pick them out of a crowd all grown up….and they remembered him: “Hey, Mr B!!”
Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Jon and Virginia, his brother Curt, and his father-in-law Earl Shoemaker.
Left here to cherish his memory are his loving wife Pam, his beloved children Drew (Kate), Isaiah (Hailey) and Mariah (Brock); sister Pat Kiser (Mike); sister-in-law Linda; mother-in-law Carolyn Shoemaker; sisters-in-law Paula (Bill) Gritter, Phyllis (Lee) Schutter, Portia (Kirk) Briggs; brothers-in-law Jeffrey (Kathy) Shoemaker, Joel (Maria) Shoemaker, and James (Sue) Shoemaker; many lifelong friends, The MAGS and Oscar.
He will be genuinely missed.
Additional Information
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Three Rivers Sports Boosters, the Animal Rescue Fund (A.R.F.) of Three Rivers, or TRAM (Three Rivers Area Mentoring).
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Mr “B” was a great and he was caring for us students he wanted us to be something greater
Mr. Bosma was my principal at Barrows. He was funny, compassionate, and made us feel safe at all times. He was very caring and attentive to our needs as students. During recess, he would always engage and have fun with us. I remember playing red rover, kick ball, he would jump rope with us, or even dance a little. 🙂 Mr. Bosma was the absolute best! He will definitely be missed. I send my love and condolences to the family. Rest in Heaven Mr. B
A wonderful and caring brother in law, Mike will be missed by all the brothers and sisters.Mike was a caring person.I always enjoyed having conversation with him, Pam ,Drew , Isiah and Mariah my sincere condolences.
Dear Bosma Family,
We hope the wonderful memories of Michael (Dad) will help you through this time. Reading the other comments show what a great man he was and his son Isaiah is a wonderful example of what a great man he was also.
Keep those memories close in the coming days and know that our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Sincerely,
The PSG – Functional Materials Family
When Wendy and I came to Three Rivers many years ago, as very young educators, Mike was a valuable colleague who, as time passed also became a respected leader. He was compassionate and always put young people at the forefront when making a decision. He will be remembered as a loving person by those who knew him and will be missed. His impact will live on.
Isaiah, Drew & Mrs. Bosma,
“Father” Bosma was ALWAYS there for players & coaches during the years that Isaiah & Drew participated in the program. His coolers seemed to have had an endless supply of Water, Gatorade and Sandwiches!!
It was like he knew when a player or coach was in need of a beverage or a quick bite to eat. Always with care & concern and his great smile, he’d either hand you one or more of the items in his cooler or direct you to it. 100% supporting his sons and their teammates on whatever team they were on and sport that they were playing, travel and at TRHS. We haven’t had a parent on his level since the last Bosma wore our uniforms.
Speaking on behalf of ALL of the players & parents and coaches from our program who played with (& were coached by) the Bosma brothers and had the pleasure of getting to know “Father Bosma”, condolences to the entire family from the Camp Darryl Basketball Academy.
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Dear Bosma Family,
We have many happy memories of Mike from our time as members of the Camp Darryl basketball family. Isaiah and John played together for years, and Mike was a positive presence throughout the entire time. We enjoyed our many conversations about education, school board politics, basketball, and (most importantly) family. We are thankful for wonderful memories, and we’re grateful we had the experience of getting to know Isaiah in the process. Prayers to the family as they mourn the loss of an amazing man.
Sincerely,
Mary, Zbig, John and Luke Srodulski
Bosma Family,
Thinking of you at this time of sadness and sending heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Praying God will comfort and care for you while you celebrate the legacy that lives on.
Samuel and Barbara Daniel
Mr. Bosma was my 6th grade teacher, and principal at Barrows he made an impression on me and some how we became life long friends, he never forgot my name I would see him in several places around Three Rivers and we always stopped and chatted, he will be dearly missed by me and everyone that knew him .
Such a wonderful man you will always be loved and missed Prayers for your family RIP Mike.
Pam and family,
So sorry to read of your loss. Our family will always remember his kindnesses through the years.
May God comfort you and give you great peace.
Pam,
Sending you thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time you are going through.
Hugs.
Buffy Mallo
He was always kind to me.
He was real and enthusiastic about and with kids!
Active and caring in Three Rivers..
He will be missed.
My sympathies to his family…
Mr. Bosma was an awesome man.. He was my principle at Barrows and even after all these years if i seen him at the store or gas station he would always recognize me and say Hi Angela how are you? He always cared about others and treated everyone like one of his own .. He will be greatly missed the world needs more people like him .. R.I.P. Mr. Bosma see u again someday …
I am so sorry you will be truly missed mr.B
To the bosma family- im sending my thoughts and prayers to all of u .mr.bosma was my principal at huss and barrows. He was such a caring person- he.ll be greatly missed.the world needs more caring people like him. My heart goes out to all of u .. im so sorry for ur loss.r.i.p. mr b .
So sorry for your loss. Mike was an inspiration to all. Hugs and Prayers to the family.
What a great man who will be missed. Our daughters dearly loved traveling with this family and thought so much of Mike.
Sorry for your loss Pam and the rest of the family. Prayers for all of you.
I am so very sorry. Mr. Bosma was my principle in kindergarten at Huss, I was being harassed at recess so he told me to play outside in view of his office window so he could keep an eye on me….that was the end of being harassed. Prayers to his family, he was a wonderful man.
As a kid in school he was my principal at Huss and truly cared for the kids:)) as I grew and had children of my own he then was my kids principal. Really helped the kids in need and I’ll always remember him for all he has done
RIP Mr B you will truly be missed n to the family so sorry for your loss thought n prayers from the Evans family
Mike, you will be missed you were a great principal,a great friend, many condolences to your wife and children,and to your family, many thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ?????
From the Holderman Family
Tammy, Lucas, Lance, Lonnie
Jasalin
I am so very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Mike always attended our adult education graduations and I so appreciated him being there. My heartfelt condolences to all of you at this time of loss.
Mr. Bosma was a principal at Barrows Elementary when my nephew attended. My nephew, who wore hearing aids had lost one of them and Mr. Bosma figured it just had to be on the playground site. He temporarily stopped playground time and literally went on the hunt along with the children and staff for that one hearing aid, which eventually was found. That was him, thoughtful, caring and full of love of people. You will be missed Mr. Bosma, Thanks for your service to the community. Rest In Love my friend!!
Rest in peace with the Angels say hello too my son up there I didn’t know him but I was very amazed that there was a father, husband, friend who loves his students and I see now that he was a Godly Man but that being said I hope his family has peace tonight knowing that he’s up in heaven with Jesus couldn’t ask for at the best of the best thank you for your service and your kind heart we need more people like him
My condolences are with you all
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME. MR BOSMA WAS MY SIBLINGS AND I PRINCIPAL AT HUSS. THE MOST LOVING AND CARING PERSON. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM FIR HIS COMPASSION FOR THE STUDENTS AND DEDICATION TO THE SCHOOL. R. I. P. MR MIKE BOSMA
I was surprised to hear of Mike passing. I knew Mike when I was an Administrator at Immaculate Conception School. He was a kind man and will be greatly missed by everyone that ever knew him. May God surround you with His love, comfort and peace. Judy Gilchrist Mohney of Stayton, Oregon.
We are so sorry for your loss. You will all be in our prayers
Mr Bosmas im so sorry family for your loss he was a great man my principle at huss and great one. and then my kids
Yes what every was going on he was ther to work it out yes he will be miss but never forgot
R.I.P. Mr Bosma you were a great person and a help when i went to Huss school when i was younger. My condolences to your wife and family and may the angels be watching over the family in this time of sadness.
Mike was the principal at Barrows when my children went there. He was a wonderful and caring principle and was always a kind man to my family. Prayers for his wife and children. May he have Eternal Rest.
What an amazing kind person an the best neighbor to be so supportive if his kids an also everyone around him he was like a father figure to me growing up always was great to talk with him. He will be missed by so many my heart goes out to his family an know in these hard times may you be abke to look at all the fun times enjoying out on the lake taking us kids all out on the boats an tubing an everything he was awsome man.
Dear Pam and family, We were so sad and surprised to hear of Mike’s passing. He was such a special man to so many. I enjoyed working with him with the ISD Board, and the Fisher Lake Board, and, of course, we’d talk over the problems of the world and solve them…if anyone would ever listen to our ideas! He was smart and funny, two qualities I adored. I always knew I could confide in him and he’d keep it between us, another valuable trait. I will genuinely miss him and remember him fondly. Unfortunately, we are leaving Friday for about ten days, so I will miss the services. Please know we are thinking of all of you, and praying for comfort and peace. Sally and Chick
Dear Mrs. B and family I am so sorry for your loss and you all are in my prayers. Mr. B was my principal from 1975 to 1982 at Huss elementary school, I was a scared kindergartner and Mr. B always took the time to let all of us students know we were safe, important and appreciated. He always made sure he knew each and every student who past thur his school. I have many memories of him at recess time coming over and playing double Dutch jump rope with us girls whether he was twirling the ropes or jumping him self. He was the best, I have often told my children stories of my elementary school days with Mr. B. He will be gratefully missed he was a good man.