Where to start.....John's fun loving, warm and always accepting personality is so missed. John so enjoyed life and was bigger than life in so many ways. He was most proud of his two sons.....and all his family and friends. Many have many, many stories to share regarding their friendship with John.
When John was diagnosed with cancer, his wish was to reassure us and let all of us know that "it was well with his soul". This he shared heartfelt and easily with all. His mantra was "'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home......"...and with God's grace he did arrive in his heavenly home. In our thought's God called him home way too soon, however God's plan is perfect. Our shared faith tells us that we will all meet again someday. Looking forward to that day.
John and I were best friends since kindergarten, attending the same CRC church and schools. We spent many a night at his grandpa's house lining up dates for the weekend. John studied in the unfinished basement there, diligently preparing to entering nursing school at the University of Michigan, where he received his nurse anesthetist degree. In the past several years, three couples (Mart and Mary Hollebeek, John and Penelope, and Mary Jane and myself) got together often to reminisce, which did not particularly excite our spouses. John and Penelope lived on Cure Beach on the coast of North Carolina.
John was truly an inspiring person. Whenever he entered a room, everyone was aware of his presence. His smile was engaging, and his optomistic outlook on life, in spite of his cancer diagnosis, was hard to fathom. He died peacefully with Penelope at his side.
Joyce Anne Israels (DeVries)
Where to start.....John's fun loving, warm and always accepting personality is so missed. John so enjoyed life and was bigger than life in so many ways. He was most proud of his two sons.....and all his family and friends. Many have many, many stories to share regarding their friendship with John.
When John was diagnosed with cancer, his wish was to reassure us and let all of us know that "it was well with his soul". This he shared heartfelt and easily with all. His mantra was "'tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home......"...and with God's grace he did arrive in his heavenly home. In our thought's God called him home way too soon, however God's plan is perfect. Our shared faith tells us that we will all meet again someday. Looking forward to that day.
Jim Voogt
John and I were best friends since kindergarten, attending the same CRC church and schools. We spent many a night at his grandpa's house lining up dates for the weekend. John studied in the unfinished basement there, diligently preparing to entering nursing school at the University of Michigan, where he received his nurse anesthetist degree. In the past several years, three couples (Mart and Mary Hollebeek, John and Penelope, and Mary Jane and myself) got together often to reminisce, which did not particularly excite our spouses. John and Penelope lived on Cure Beach on the coast of North Carolina.
John was truly an inspiring person. Whenever he entered a room, everyone was aware of his presence. His smile was engaging, and his optomistic outlook on life, in spite of his cancer diagnosis, was hard to fathom. He died peacefully with Penelope at his side.