Edward Doorlag
December 3, 1933 – May 9, 2023
In accordance with his wish, cremation will take place and a memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Centerpoint Church, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 89, passed away on May 9, 2023, at Corewell Hospital in St. Joseph Michigan. He was born in Kalamazoo, MI, on December 3, 1933, the son of the late Henry and Riksta (Engberts) Doorlag. Ed grew up in Kalamazoo and was always proud to call Southwest Michigan his home. He was a kind, gentle and faithful man whose character was founded in his faith of God. He was selfless and was always willing to help others. Ed worked hard to provide for his family and those around him. Never one to rest, he always had a task at hand, whether he was outdoors, landscaping or tinkering with various projects. He was a member of Centerpoint Church on 10th Street where his smile will be missed on Sunday mornings. Above all Ed loved his family and was especially proud of his children and grandchildren. He leaves behind the legacy of a life well lived. On May 28, 1965, he married the love of his life Patricia K. (DeHaan) Doorlag who survives. He is also survived by two children, Barry (Tracey Newberry) Doorlag and Brian (Preeti) Doorlag; grandchildren, Caleb Joseph Edward Doorlag and Brianna Jessica Doorlag; siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. He was also preceded in passing by a granddaughter, Reena Hannah Doorlag and several siblings.
Uncle Ed and Aunt Pat always took a great interest in us no matter where we were living for which we are so thankful. Our 2 daughters remember Uncle Ed for the boxes of paper he would sometimes give our family. It is our faith that he is in a much better place because of his enduring faith in Jesus. Please keep us informed when and where his memorial service will be held. If at all possible, we would most certainly want to be there.
Growing up in 3rd Ref., the Doorlag name was well represented and we were blessed by their faith and witness over the years. Ed, while gentle and unassuming demonstrated his faith in acts of kindness as one characteristic. One example that stands out was on a rainy Saturday following a junior choir practice, when a young boy about the age of ten stood in the rain at a bus stop one block away from the church waiting for the city bus, unaware that the bus route was recently revised. Ed came along and offered the water logged lad a ride home which was a considerable distance away. Some 67 years later, that act of kindness is still remembered. May God’s Peace reign in your hearts as you cling to the promises found in His Word.
Everytime I see the name Doorlag, I check to see if they are a distant relative. My dad was Steve Engberts, the son of Richard Engberts.