Douglas “Wabs” Jay Wabeke

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Douglas “Wabs” Jay Wabeke, age 65 of Grand Haven, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at home. He was born on February 24, 1958, in Zeeland, MI to the late Merton and Frieda (Cooke) Wabeke. Doug married Cindy Van’t Hof on September 25, 1982, in Zeeland.

Doug graduated from Zeeland High School, Class of 1976. He then attended Central Michigan University where he earned his bachelor's degree, and later graduated from Miami of Ohio with his master’s degree. Doug spent his career working as a Wellness Instructor, Baseball Coach, and Athletic Director at Grand Rapids Community College. In addition to his teaching career, Doug also played Minor League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Throughout the years, he coached for USA Baseball and served as a baseball Umpire throughout West Michigan.

Doug enjoyed all things baseball, spending time on the lakeshore, running, biking, the Y.M.C.A., and all sorts of shenanigans. He and his wife would like to thank his CMU friends, his baseball friends, his Zeeland friends, and his Jenison friends for a lifetime of loving and loyal friendship.

Doug will be forever remembered and missed by his wife of 41 years, Cindy; his two sisters, Nancy (Tom) Curnick and Sandra (Randy) Lamer; sister-in-law, Tammy (Jeff) Beswick; and many well-loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and parents-in-law, Beatrice and Ronald Van’t Hof.

The Funeral Service for Doug will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Pastor Tom Kragt officiating. Visitations will be held Friday, December 1st, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home, as well as one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made online or by mail to Central Michigan University. Please make checks payable to: Central Michigan University with “Baseball/Wabeke” in the memo of the check if donating by mail.

To donate online, please visit: give.cmich.edu/Wabeke

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