Richard D. Hoekstra

Richard D. Hoekstra, age 69, of Momence, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Vibra Hospital of Northwestern Indiana. He was born on March 1, 1954, in Kankakee, the son of Philip and Phyllis Hoekstra. On November 2, 1974, he married Sharon Merino at Wichert Reformed Church. Richard worked hard as a farmer his whole life. He loved being outdoors; when he wasn’t farming, he loved duck hunting, wood carving, arrowhead hunting, and building and riding his Harley. Richard also enjoyed traveling. He was a jack of all trades. On top of his love for the outdoors and farming, he loved listening to his grandsons play the guitar. Richard was an avid Chicago White Sox Fan as well. Surviving are his beloved wife of 48 years, Sharon Hoekstra; two sons, Matthew Hoekstra and Luke (Lucy Berger) Hoekstra; his daughter, Aubrey (Scott) Wilson; two sisters, Kim (Danny) DeYoung and Jackie (Doyle) Owens; one brother, Tom (Ann) Merino; two grandchildren, Evan Hoekstra and Patrick Wilson; one great-grandchild, Juniper Hoekstra; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Hoekstra; and one daughter, Andrea Hoekstra. Visitation for Richard will be held at Jensen Funeral Home in Kankakee on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 2:00PM – 6:00PM. A funeral service will begin at 10:00AM the following day at the funeral home. Immediately following the service, Richard will be laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery in Wichert, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cancer Research Institute at 29 Broadway Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111.