Henry "Hank" Richard Bos Obituary (1940 - 2023)

Henry "Hank" Richard Bos, our beloved dad and grandpa, age 83, died peacefully with family at his side after a long battle with Alzheimer's on Friday, March 10, 2023. Born on January 26, 1940, in Melrose Park, Illinois, to John and Henrietta Bos (Boersema), Hank was a long-time Elmhurst and Lombard, Illinois resident. In 2016, he and Grandma Colleen embarked on a new adventure, moving to West Michigan. Hank and Pamela Ann (Gratz) married in 1961, and a couple of years later, in 1963, he was drafted into the Army, serving honorably in Germany. While in the Army, Hank learned how to print, and once discharged, he continued with the trade. He first printed in the home garage, then moved to a small business, ultimately partnering with his friend, Gary Fox, to start their business Top Drawer Printing. In 1986 Hank married Colleen Sluga. Hank's four children, Tracy, Dennis, Matthew, and Brian, and Colleen's two children, Victoria and Dan, came together to create a family with six young adults/teenagers! In his calm, wise way, Hank became a second father figure and a role model to many friends in and out of their house during those years. Hank was blessed to be a printer and loved "working in the back of the shop". The smells and colors of the inks and the feel of the paper stocks gave him energy, and he knew the unique sounds of each press and machine. His hard-working hands, covered with indelible ink stains showed us the love he had for his trade. Hank had so many interests and loved sharing them with everyone he met. From the Pioneer bowling league that he started and bowled in for 59 years, his passion for Civil War history, his deep admiration of Abraham Lincoln, his love of old cars (especially 51 Fords), and his unwavering love of Snickers bars, Hank was great at connecting with people. Once he retired, Hank loved going for rides. His awe and childlike wonder about cars, trees, colors, places, and people were infectious; he found joy in everything. Of his many interests, Hank most loved his family and his church. He was SO proud of each one of his kids and sat enthralled when his grandkids, Nathaniel, Haleigh, Anneka, Aili, Frank, Gwen, and Mary Grace, shared stories, updates, and pictures with him. Hank served at Faith CRC in Elmhurst for many years as a Cadet Leader, Deacon, Elder, and a Stephen Minister. Each year for over a decade, he took his vacation and served at Hogar de Ninos in Honduras. Although a quiet man, when Hank spoke, his words carried importance and, most often, a hint of humor. He smiled and laughed easily and had a creative storytelling way that often had us in stitches. At Christmas, he was right in the middle of the wrapping paper chaos, usually hiding wads of paper next to him before he'd strike quickly at an unsuspecting family member, and he had great aim! Hank is preceded in death by his brothers, Rich and Ed Bos, his wife Colleen Bos, his friend, Lowell Gratz, and many, many special cats. A memorial service will be held at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst, Illinois, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11:00 am. Faith CRC is located at 1070 S. Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care.