TRAVERSE CITY — Funeral services for Jayson William Hoogeveen, 8, who died on the first day of school, will take place Friday.
A wake and visitation for JJ, as he was known, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
The funeral Mass will take place at 2 p.m. Friday with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery on Old Mission.
The Traverse Heights Elementary third-grader was struck and killed by a vehicle in King’s Court Mobile Home Park on Sept. 3, the first day of school for Traverse City Area Public Schools district.
Neighbors and witnesses say he was at a bus stop when the tragedy occurred; police have not yet confirmed any details.
JJ was born on Jan. 30, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, the son of Kimberly Ann Gilbert and Jxn Txn Hoogeveen, according to the obituary.
“He was raised by his mom, he was her little shadow, and stepdad Jerry Ramirez, whom he affectionately called JE. They were joined at the hip and had so much fun doing everything together. Jayson is and always will be the love of his momma’s life.”
JJ was beloved by his family, the obituary said. “He was truly Heaven sent and brought so much light and life into this world. JJ, we will always love you. We will miss you and you will never be forgotten.”