Edwin Arley Oom

Edwin Arley Oom, age 89, of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Christian Haven Home, Grand Haven. He was born on March 5, 1936, in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late Edwin and Alma (Barager) Oom. Ed graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1954 where he met his high school sweetheart, Vera (Petie) Magrum. They married on January 21, 1956. She preceded him in death on May 30, 2020, after 64 years of marriage.

Ed and Petie started their family in Grand Haven. After serving in the US Army, Ed was employed as a mechanic. He then started what would be a lifelong career in insurance. He accepted a management opportunity in New York with Bankers Life & Casualty, and Ed, Petie, and their three kids lived in several cities in upstate New York where Ed would train agents and open new offices. Their son David was born in NY, and the family returned to Grand Haven where their fifth child, Karen, was born. Ed and Petie went on to build a successful family insurance business and raised their five children, all of whom worked in the family business, as well as Ed's father, brothers, sisters, and nephews.

Ed was an avid fisherman who owned one of the original Charter Boats on Chinook Pier, the Woods & Waters, where he shared his love of fishing with friends and family. He had a rustic cabin on the Muskegon River that he restored and spent many hours hunting and fishing. Ed and his sons would take annual fishing and hunting trips to Canada and Colorado, and his love of nature was passed on to all his children.

After retiring from insurance, Ed enjoyed buying and restoring homes in Grand Haven. In the winters, he and Petie would head south to their winter home in River Ranch, Florida. Ed fished every day on Lake Kissimmee and shared his sentiment; "there isn't a problem too big that can't be solved out on the water."

Ed is remembered for his quiet generosity, supporting and helping many individuals and families needing a helping hand. He was a man with big ideas. He was a builder of dreams. He was a great father and friend.

Ed is survived by his four children: Kellie, Edwin, Jr., and Brad Oom of Grand Haven, Karen Fredricks (Maury) of Grand Haven; his grandchildren: Danielle (Zac Spofford) and Austin Oom, Sarah (Zach) Carter, Breona and Isabel Vanderlaan, Sandi (Evan) Boonenberg, Ben, Louis (Victoria) and Sam Fredricks; five great-grandchildren: Alba, Ava, Iris, Mossimo, and Ollie; his brothers, Harold Oom, Paul and Bruce (Clara) Brown; sister, Kathy (Howard) Ott; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera; son, David; and his sister, Dorothy Wales.

The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate care of Ed and his family. Special thanks to his nurse, Ashlee, and care aide, Krista.

The Visitation for Ed will be held on Tuesday, August 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. A private family Interment will be held at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to American Alzheimer's Association-Michigan Chapter.
 

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