Sytsma, Louis, Coopersville Observer, October 4, 1929

Louis Sytsma, of Grand Haven, 23 years old, was drowned at the Bass River gravel pits of the Construction Materials Co., about 9:30 p.m. Monday.

According to the story of the men who were there at the time, Sytsma jumped from the tug Liberty to a gravel scow which was being loaded to be towed to Ferrysburg. He failed to negotiate the distance and fell between the tug and the scow. As his body did not rise, it is thought possibly death was caused by hitting an obstacle.

The Grand Haven Coast Guard was notified to aid in search for the body. They responded immediately and after two hours, dragging recovered the body.

Sytsma was employed as a fireman and lineman on the tug Freedom, working there for the past eight months. He leaves a widow and a daughter one year old. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in Grand Haven, and burial was in Lake Forest Cemetery there.

Transcribed by Joan Van Spronsen from C. O. Obituaries collected by Loekie Boersma