Rev. Howard R. Hoekstra

“To God be the Glory” is the way Pastor Howard Hoekstra lived his life and would want to be remembered.

Born in Holland, Michigan, on May 8, 1945, to Cornelius and Alda Hoekstra, Howard came to know his Lord and Savior at the tender age of nine. He attended several high schools including Byron Center High School in Michigan where he excelled at basketball. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, graduating in 1967, and proceeded to attend Western Theological Seminary. After seminary, while working in a church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Howard met and married Starr Wyma, the partner who would be his wife for 53 years.

Together, Howard and Starr lived a life of serving people. Their life of service began with two years in Bolivia ministering to a remote tribe along the Rio Beni River. Upon their return to the United States, Howard served at Hope Community Church in Pine Hills, Florida, for 2 years. Howard was then called to Homewood Reformed Church as the youth pastor, where he served for 7 years. He then accepted a call to Calvary Church in Orland Park. Howard faithfully served this church, ministering and loving generations of people for 28 years. After leading the church through a transition into a new worship space, he accepted a call to Downers Grove Community Church (DGCC). He faithfully served this church for 10 years, helping transition to new leadership. In God’s providence, Howard received a call to return to Calvary Church, where he loved and cared for the congregation until his leaving this temporal earth for the shores of heaven early Sunday morning.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Starr (nee Wyma) Hoekstra, with whom he enjoyed many great adventures and loved endlessly. He was an amazing father to his daughter Jennie Hoekstra, daughter Connie Hoekstra, and son David (Sara) Hoekstra. He loved all of his grandchildren, Austin (Elisa) Bilotto, Gianna Bilotto, Adalyn Hoekstra, Cierra Bilotto, Eliana Hoekstra, Josiah Hoekstra, Skylar Brooks, and Mandi Brooks. Howard is survived by his sister Connie (Bruce) Ruble. He also loved Starr’s son Robert Savage and Robert's sons Justin and Jordan Savage.

Howard will always be remembered as a man who loved the Lord above all else and in turn loved all those around him. His calm spirit, limitless patience, and godly empathy will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was adored by all of us who had the pleasure of being loved by him. Our profound sorrow is only eclipsed by our joy that Howard is now face to face with his loving Savior Jesus Christ.

Please join the Hoekstra Family at Calvary Church on Sunday, December 3, 2023. Beginning at 2:00 p.m. (CST), there will be a time to visit with Howard’s family, followed by a Service of Celebration and Praise at 4:00 p.m. with light refreshments to follow. Calvary Church is located at 16100 S. 104th Ave., Orland Park, Illinois 60467. The service will also be live streamed on Calvary Church's YouTube channel.

Below is the live stream link to Pastor Howard's Service


In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Howard to Hope Collective. Please make checks payable to Calvary Church with "Hope Collective in memory of Howard" in the memo line.

Below is a photo tribute celebrating Pastor Howard's life.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400