Joseph L. (Joe) Oomen, age 90, of Hart, passed away November 6, 2011, peacefully at home surrounded by his children. He was born November 29, 1920, in Crystal Valley to Henry and Josephine (Theeuwes) Oomen. He married Barbara VanAgtmael on November 28, 1954, and she preceded him in death in 1980. He was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Weare and also was a lay minister at the church. Joe was a farmer all his life and served with the Crystal Valley Fire Department and the Crystal Township board for many years. He was a 4-H leader and served on the 4-H advisory board. He was an avid antique tractor collector and enjoyed tractor pulls.
Joe is survived by his children, Allen Oomen of Custer, Bernice (Dan) Hallack, Paul Oomen, Ralph (Karen) Oomen, Ken (Sandy) Oomen, all of Hart, Lisa (Steve) Albright of Big Rapids, and Jane (Jay) Shelton of Ludington; his grandchildren, Matt (Missy) Oomen, Dan Oomen, Zack Thocher (Melissa Monroe), Kyle Thocher, Jason (Tricia) Hallack, Amber Hallack (Chris Burden), Michael (Megan) Oomen, Shannon (Aaron) Snider, Jacob Oomen, Tara and Tyler Oomen, Nick and Spencer Oomen, Shelby and AJ Albright, Josh Albright, Crystal (John) Jones, Colin , Austin, Branden and Jocele Shelton, and Rhiannon Ragland; and his 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Michael James, his sisters Mary Oomen, Catherine Shields and Wilhelmina Coffey and his brother John Oomen. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Doris Ruggles, in 1996 and third wife, Mary Lou Skaggs, in 2007.
The Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Oomen will be offered Thursday, November 10 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Weare with Fr. Phil Sliwinski presiding. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 9, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with the Rosary at 5:00 PM at King Funeral Home in Hart. There will be additional visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Those wishing to give a lasting memorial are asked to consider Hospice of Michigan, Crystal Valley Care Fund, or Michigan Vegetable Council Scholarship Fund.