Dick J. Posthuma, 82, of Elkhart passed away June 3, 2012 at his residence. He was born Nov. 23, 1929 to Jan and Tjallie (Westerlaan) Posthuma in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. On March 5, 1955 Dick married Helena C. Schulte in Ft. Wayne, Ind. She passed away July 2, 1991. Survivors include daughters Elaine Kendell of South Bend, Dianne (Todd) Clark of Bristol; sons Rich of Elkhart and Mike (Laurie) Posthuma of Bristol; seven grandchildren, Erica (Cory) Adams of New Palestine, Ind., Michael (fiancée Sheri Peterson) of Chicago, Lisa (Jon) Conger of Berkley, Mich., Taryn (Josh) Schneider of Elkhart, Kris (Lillian) Posthuma of Indianapolis, Jessica (Brandon) Kappes of Cicero, Ind., Jeremy Clark of Bristol; one step-grandson, Tyler Sims of Bristol; seven great-grandchildren, Kian & Cavanaugh Adams, Lilah & Brigette Conger, Quistis Schneider, Austin & Lincoln Kappes; one god-child, Suzanne Holzshuh of Elkhart; two sisters, Wies Kroek of Duncan, BC, Canada, Anneke Marchal of Putten, The Netherlands; and a brother, Jan (An) Posthuma of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents; and two brothers, Suardus "Harry" Posthuma in 2005 and Joop Posthuma in 2006. Dick began working at age 14 when he was assigned as a kitchen helper for occupying Nazi forces. This twist of fate afforded him access to food that helped his family survive the War. He retired at age 80 from Alex Paint Store, and prior to that worked as the purchasing manager for Barth Motorhomes, Milford, and Leisure Time RV, Nappanee, general manager for McLean Enterprises, Goshen (including Playdium Lanes, King Pin Lanes, Local Beverage, Hotel Goshen, and the Chicken Kiosk), head chef at the Van Orman Hotel in Ft. Wayne, and chef on the Holland-America Cruise Line travelling between Rotterdam and New York. He served his chef apprenticeship throughout The Netherlands and met his future wife while working in Sheveningen on the North Sea. Dick served as president of the Elkhart-Canadian Hunt Club, president of the International Club, secretary of the Thursday Night Church Fellowship bowling league, usher at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, and member of the St. Vincent's School Board. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wed., June 6, 2012 at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The service will be at 10 a.m. Thurs., June 7, 2012, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church. Father Glenn Kohrman will officiate. Burial will be at Rice Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be given to St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church.