| Graduation Year | Class of 1961 |
| Date of Birth | Dec 06, 1942 |
| Date of Passing | Jan 21, 1963 |
| About | Car-Truck Collision Kills Two Brothers Two brothers, the only sons of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wielenga, were killed in a car-truck crash at approximately 7:15 p.m. Monday a quarter of a mile outside the city limits on US 31 North. They were Leon E. Wielenga, 20, driver of the small British station wagon, and his brother, Raleigh Dean, who would have been 13 years old on Feb. 14.Their young sister, Myra, 7, a passenger in the car, received mouth and facial lacerations and bruises. She was reported in satisfactory condition at the Charlevoix hospital Wednesday. The accident occurred when the Wielenga compact car struck the rear of a loaded tank truck as the driver, Arden L. Border, 34, of Shepherd, prepared to cross the north lane into the new Leonard bulk plant opposite the Lake Terrace Mobile Court after stopping to permit an oncoming car to pass. The highway was icy in spots and at times visibility was poor as gusty winds out of the northwest blew loose snow across the highway according to Sheriff Glenn E. Rose who investigated the accident. Funeral services for the two brothers will be held at the Winchester Funeral Home at 1 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Charles A. Stoppels officiating. The bodies will then be taken to Grandville where the family resided before coming here in July 1958 for services at the Posthumus Funeral Home at 4145 Chicago Drive at 1 pm. Friday. The Rev. Peter Muyskens of the Olivet Reformed Church and the Rev. Mr. Stoppels will officiate. Burial will be in Wyoming cemetery. Born in Grand Rapids Dec. 6, 1942, Leon Edward Wielenga was graduated from the Charlevoix high school in 1961 and had attended North Central Michigan College. In high school he was a member of the Varsity basketball team. Raleigh Dean Wielenga was born in Grand Rapids Feb, 14, 1950, and was a seventh grade student in the Charlevoix junior high school. Both were members of the Community Reformed church of Charlevoix. Besides their parents, they are survived by two sisters, Myra, at home, and Mrs. Cleo (Bonnie) Schader of Grandville; their paternal grand-parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miner Wielenga of Grand Rapids and their maternal grand parents, Mr. and Mrs. John F. Henrickson of Grandville. The family has suggested that anyone wishing to honor the memories of the brothers may do so by contributing to the memorial Fund of the Community Reformed Church of Charlevoix. |
