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Martin “Marty” John Schans, Sr., age 86, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on December 22, 2019. Marty will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 68 years, Annette Oostindie; son Richard, Sr. (Carolyn), daughter Cheryl (Ron) Mohr; and son Martin Jr. (Sonya). Marty will also be missed by grandchildren Richard Jr. (Tatum); Daniel; Amber (Daniel) Schrier; Christine (Derek) Becker; Jacob (Kelsey) Mohr; Houston; and Carly. Marty is also survived by five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews along with brother-in-law Ron (Valerie) Oostindie, brother-in-law Chuck (Mary) Oostindie, sister-in-law Judy (Don) Schierbeek, and sister-in-law Mary (Larry) Zandstra. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace (Bierema) Schans; brothers Donald and Calvin; sister Marguerite Neubert; and son Robert.
Marty was raised in the greater Grand Rapids area. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1955, when he then returned to Grand Rapids to raise his family. Marty was employed by IBM in 1957, beginning a long and distinguished career which took he and his family to assignments of increasing responsibility in Jackson, MI; Rochester, MN; the Detroit, MI area, Raleigh, NC; and White Plains, NY. Marty’s work took him to several international locations. His assignment prior to his retirement was Manager of Customer Service and Quality for the Latin America Division of IBM’s World Trade Americas Group. Upon his retirement from IBM, Marty volunteered his services and expertise to International Executive Service Corps (IESC), helping businesses in Kenya to better manage and grow their businesses.
Marty and Annette loved to travel internationally and shared their joint desire to see and experience the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. After retirement Marty and Annette traveled extensively around the USA in their motor home when they weren’t in residence in Grand Rapids or their retirement community in Sun City, AZ. Marty became a skilled stained glass artisan and was also introduced to the sport of lawn bowling while in Sun City, becoming an avid and skilled bowler. Marty was elected to the United States Lawn Bowling Association (USLBA) Board of Directors and went on to serve as President of the USLBA from 2010 to 2012.
Marty and Annette were raised in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). Their moves took them to towns where they had the opportunity to become charter members of the Cascades Fellowship CRC in Jackson, MI and the North Hills CRC in Troy, MI. Marty also served in the roles of Deacon and Elder in the church.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Visitation for family and friends is scheduled for Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 2 to 4PM at the Chapel at the Samaratis Terraces, 2000 32nd St, Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations can be made to Spectrum Hospice or SamaratisSenior Living.
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I am honored and happy to have shared time with such an accomplished and giving gentleman. I will treasure those fonds memories. May he RIP.
Living in Sun City you see people come and go, but Marty is one that touches your heart and I hate to see him leave. He was a credit to lawn bowling and will always remember his kindness to everyone. My prayers go out to Annette and his family!
Richard Broad and Sally Roberts.
A modest and kindly gentleman on and off the greens he loved so well.
It was a pleasure to have known him.
All our love to Annette.
Marty was a gentelmen on and off the greens. I first met Marty and got to know at the U.s championships in Milwaukee in 2006, that day he was a great competitor and gentlemen. Our relationship grew in the years that followed when he would come to California to bowl in the Southwest open every year. I miss him, and our sport will surely miss him and his loving wife Annette will miss him most of all. My prayers go out to her and the family and may Marty rest in the peace he deserves.