Peter Boven

For Peter Boven, home was always where his heart was, the place he built with his head and his hands. He was a hardworking homebuilder, but an even better husband, father, grandfather and friend. Peter was a provider, a builder, and an example to all who knew him.

Peter’s story began on a warm summer day in 1918, in the rolling farmland of Comstock, Michigan. Those were turbulent times in this country, as the terrible battles of World War I raged overseas. Yet on June 15, 1918, Ties and Livina (Walhout) Boven celebrated the birth of a baby boy on their celery farm, a son they named Peter.

Peter was one of 10 children in the large family, joining his six brothers and three sisters. Peter’s dad was a former lumberjack, who moved his family from Northern Michigan to Comstock to become a celery farmer.

Peter developed a powerful work ethic by growing up on the farm, as each of the kids had their fair share of chores to do. As was so common in those days, Peter attended school through the eighth grade, when he left to work fulltime.

When he was 19, Peter endured a series of family tragedies, testing his family and his faith. His mother and two of his sisters, Henrietta and Nellie, were sadly killed in a car accident, which also critically injured his father and brother. That same year, the family home burned down. He also lost his brother Theodore to appendicitis at the age of 12.

Peter did everything he could to put his family back together, and soon took a job at the Sutherland Paper Company, where he worked 12-hour days, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., six days a week.

Peter met a beautiful young coworker there named Borgia Vyverman, and the sparks flew between them. They began dating, quickly fell in love, and were married on June 3, 1939, in the rectory of St. Augustine Catholic Church, by Msgr. John Hackett.

It wasn’t long before the newlyweds became parents, as well, with the first of children, in 1940. He was the proud parent of seven kids over the years, Jim, Jean, Carol, Rick, Ron, David and Mary.

Peter’s fatherhood was interrupted by the call to duty of World War II, however. He proudly served his country during the war, entering the Army infantry and serving stateside.

After he was discharged in 1945, Peter returned to Comstock, and to his growing family. Like many industrious men returning home from the war, Peter decided to go into business for himself, and started his own homebuilding company. .

Peter was an incredibly hard worker, as well as an honest businessman who treated everyone fairly. He built only quality homes, and accomplished all facets of the building process himself, from beautiful hardwood floors to hand-constructed cabinetry.

The family moved to more than a dozen homes. Peter especially enjoyed his two homes in Mattawan, where he raised grapes on 20 acres. Peter was a tireless worker, and if he wasn’t building, he was farming.

Peter was a very strict parent, but providing and caring for his family was first and foremost in everything he did. He also taught his kids to have the same work ethic and moral compass that guided each of his days.

Peter was a man of great character, who appreciated and enjoyed life’s simpler pleasures. He loved dogs, but was always too busy to own one. He enjoyed talking politics, and usually voted Republican. Peter loved his wife’s cooking, and had a sweet tooth for her wonderful homemade pies. Peter loved reading historical novels, and especially The Bible.

Peter’s beloved wife sadly died in 1987, which was such a difficult loss for him. He got through it with his work, and with his family, as their bond grew even closer. Peter enjoyed having coffee with his sons, several mornings a week for the past 20 years.

In 1988, Peter met a wonderful woman named Darlene Springer, and they slowly formed a beautiful relationship, a great companion to each other the rest of his days.

In the fall of 2007, Peter’s health became more fragile even though he still remained independent. Sadly, Peter died at his home, cared for by his family, on February 22, 2008, at the age of 89

Peter was a wonderful man, a hardworking husband, father, grandfather and friend. For Peter, home was always where his heart was, the place he built with his head and his hands. Peter was a veteran, provider, and builder, and an example to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Peter, view his Life Story Film and visit with his family Monday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler 6080 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo, 375-2900 where a religious service will be held Tuesday at 11:00. Entombment Mt. Everest Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Borgia and nine brothers and sisters; Jake, Henry, Dirk (Dick) John, Richard, Theodore, Dorothy, Nellie and Henrietta. Members of his family include seven children; Jim (Jo) Boven of Lawton, Jean (Bill) Smith of Vicksburg, Carol Beutler of Kalamazoo, Rick (Nancy) Boven of Mattawan, Ron (Janna) Boven, David (Pat) Boven of Paw Paw and Mary Boven of Decatur, 24 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, his companion; Darlene Springer, and several nieces and nephews. Please visit Peter’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or photo, sign the guest book, or make a memorial contribution to Borgess VNA Hospice.