Mark William Buursma spent his final Easter basking in the Florida sun, arising early for a brisk 30-mile bike ride, live-streaming Resurrection Sunday services from his home church in Kalamazoo, strolling on the sugar-sand shoreline of Panama City Beach and enjoying a quiet dinner with Debbie, his wife of 41 years. It was a glorious day in a cherished spot where the couple had vacationed for decades. It was Mark’s “happy place,” Debbie said.

But just before midnight, while sleeping, Mark suffered a devastating cardiac arrest that rendered him unconscious. Despite heroic efforts from his wife, first responders and the medical team at Ascension Hospital in Panama City, Mark never reawakened and slipped away peacefully on Sunday, April 27, at the age of 65.

Mark lived and died in the firm, steady assurance of Christ’s abundant love for him, and this conviction animated Mark’s days with joy and peace. He was born into a Christian Reformed pastor’s family, the youngest of four children. He was raised in parsonages in Munster, IN, and Grand Rapids, MI, before landing as a young teenager in Kalamazoo, where he graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School.

Mark had plans to retire in the next year or two from his longstanding position as a much-respected account manager for Schawk, a graphic design services firm. But his true vocation was elsewhere — as a husband, father and “papa”. He loved his family fiercely, arranging his schedule to attend every athletic contest and school or church event to support his children and grandchildren.

He also loved the church he joined more than 50 years ago, serving in his adult years as a deacon and currently an elder at Third Christian Reformed in Kalamazoo. Mark also was deeply devoted to following the fortunes of the University of Michigan football squad, and was a dedicated road biker in more recent years. In his Portage living room, above his easy chair, Mark hung an art piece that proclaimed “Life is a Beautiful Ride.”

Mark’s life of kindness, humble service, encouragement and generosity served as an inspiration to those who encountered him along that beautiful ride.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. William and Althea Buursma; his sister, Sheri Buursma; and his parents in-law, Ken and Dorothy Vandenberg. He is survived by his loving spouse Debbie, his children Ashley (Kyle) Mastenbrook of Kalamazoo and Josh (Kate) Buursma of Kalamazoo, his five grandchildren, Ellery, Annika and Lucy Mastenbrook, and Etta and Eliza Buursma (with a new baby Buursma due this summer). Mark will be achingly missed by his extended family — his older brothers and spouses Bruce and Judy Buursma and Dirk and Harriet Buursma, his sisters in-law, Amy (Jon) Van Putten and Carey Vandermeer, along with many nieces and nephews who adored their doting Uncle Mark.