Ron “Doc” Zylstra passed away peacefully in his sleep at home early Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
He was born in Bellingham on July 24, 1938, to Paul and Emma (De Hoog) Zylstra and lived his entire 80 years in Lynden. He graduated from Lynden Christian and married his high school sweetheart Joyce Mellema on Aug. 20, 1958, in Sumas. Doc owned S&H Auto Parts for 43 years. He was a lifelong member of Third Christian Reformed Church.
Doc loved spending time with his family on vacation in Penticton, B.C., for 58 years and just celebrated a blessed Thanksgiving in Maui with the whole family, all 28!
Doc is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce; children Doreen (Lauren) Meenderinck, Karrin (Dean) Simpson, Tim (Michelle) Zylstra and Tom (Bridget) Zylstra; grandchildren Malorie (Derek) Tjoelker, Kelsie (Derek) Heystek, Ty Haan, Austin (fiancé Ashley LaVeille), Jordan (Jayme) Simpson, Kylee Simpson, Conor, Hailey and Brooke Nordstrom, Marc Meenderinck, Brevin and Annie Zylstra, Dexter and Ruby Zylstra; and great-grandchildren Macy and Briggs Tjoelker and Ava Heystek.
Doc was predeceased by daughter-in-law Trisha (Bosman) Zylstra and grandson Fletcher Paul Zylstra.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, in Gillies Funeral Home. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, in Monumenta Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life service in Third CRC of Lynden.
Memorials can be made to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the online Guest Book at www.GilliesFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
