Henry "Hank" E. Riekels, Jr.

Henry “Hank” E. Riekels, Jr., age 89, of Grand Haven, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at a local care facility in Holland. He was born on March 16, 1935, in Muskegon, MI, to the late Henry E. and Mary (Wright) Riekels, Sr. Hank married Melanie Johnsson on July 14, 1984, in Grand Haven.

Hank graduated from Muskegon High School, and went on to attend CREI in Washington, D.C. At the age of 16, he began his working career at West Michigan Sound purchasing part of the business in the 1970’s and naming it Comtron Service. He also developed Comtronco for the five-mile tower, which closed in 2019.

He was a former member of the Muskegon Jaycee’s and played a big part in the renovation of the Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl in Grand Haven. Hank was also a Pageant Director/Producer of the Miss Michigan Pageant and held his amateur radio license for over 60 years (W8GVK). He was a life member of the Muskegon Radio Club and also served on the Amateur Radio Repeater Council, the Muskegon Civil Defense, and many other organizations. Hank most enjoyed his time as a HAM radio operator.

Hank will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 40 years, Melanie; his two daughters, Heather (Robert) Oxley of Illinois and Sandra (Dan) Hall of Connecticut; his son, Henry “H.T.” Riekels, III of Grand Haven; two step-daughters, Nora (Michael) Fitts of Virgina and Cynthia (Peter) Guzman of Holland, MI; nine grandchildren: Andrea (David) Andre, Amelia Fitts, Camden Guzman, Carly (Zach) Kucharek, Emma Gillette-Hall, Jack, Cara, and Gracie Hall, and Thomas VanHoeson; sister, Fritzi (Dr. Nigel Lock) Cole; and sister-in-law, Sandra (Thomas) Klomparens. 

The family would like to thank his caregiver, Destiny, at Resthaven and the staff at Hospice of Holland for the special care given to Hank through this journey.

The Memorial Service for Hank will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home, with Rev. Dan Anderson officiating. A Memorial Visitation will follow, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kate Olsen Scholarship Fund c/o G.H.A.C.F., Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl, or Hospice of Holland.

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