DIRK NICOLAAS HABERMEHL

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DIRK NICOLAAS HABERMEHL Dirk Nicolaas Habermehl passed into the loving arms of God suddenly on March 22, 2013, in his 85th year. Beloved husband and soulmate of Martha Habermehl (nee Kruishoop) for nearly 60 years. Loving father of Johanna (Henry) Wiersma, Marion (Gary Duim) Habermehl, and Patricia Habermehl. Deeply caring grandfather (opa) of Janita (Josh) Noiseux-Wiersma, Julian, Daniel, and Oriah Wiersma, Gared and Rowan Duim, and Patrice Smith. Dik was born in The Netherlands on May 17, 1928, and immigrated to Canada in 1959 with his wife and young daughter, to minister to the Christian Reformed Church in Newmarket, ON. He served as minister to Zion Christian Reformed Church in Oshawa, ON for 13 years. The next eight years were spent in Winnipeg, MB serving an inner city church named Hope Centre, where he developed a holistic approach to ministry that included spiritual guidance, personal counseling, medical care and legal aid to the downtown core, as well as specialized programming for the developmentally delayed population. In Holland Dik earned a Masters of Theology and was ordained as a minister, and in Winnipeg he obtained a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He practiced both professions for many years. In 1985 Dik became Regional Coordinator of Chaplaincy for the province of Ontario, a position he enjoyed until his retirement in 1993. During this time he joined the United Church of Canada. After retirement Dik continued to work at, and enjoy, his quiet, beautiful cabin property at Lake St. Peter. He also spent much time playing the organ, a passion he had since childhood, and he was the regular organist and choir director at Colborne United Church. In 2001 Dik established the Northumberland Interfaith Coalition, and in 2003 began The Abuse Awareness Project. Martha continues to follow his vision with her involvement in the End the Silence About Violence organization. We are so blessed to have lived with Dik, a man of many skills and talents, strong passions, steady energy, deep wisdom, great love and joy, and a wonderful sense of humour. Even as he now knows the fullness of the Lord, his life here on earth will not be forgotten. The funeral service will be held at Trinity United Church in Cobourg, ON on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be at MacCoubrey Funeral Home in Cobourg, Friday, March 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and at Trinity United Church for an hour preceding the funeral service. Interment will take place at a later date in Lake St. Peter. Memorial donations to a charity of one's choice are gratefully received. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 26, 2013