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John Donk

January 29, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI

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DONK, JOHN Mr. John Donk entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 29, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Teunis and Cornelia (Verheul) Donk, sisters, Truis Dirkmaat, Alie Leydes and brother, Piet Donk, his sister, Annie Blancken, who resides in the Netherlands, survives him. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 73 years, Jane; his children, Cornelia (Ed) Oosterhouse, Martin Donk, Willemina (Rick) Watrous, Theodora (Lawrence) McKiernan, Carla (Scott) Blinkhorn, Tony (Theresa) Donk and Vera (Philip) Hamacher; grandchildren, David (Flora) Oosterhouse, Donna (Daniel) May, Daniel (Robin) Oosterhouse, Deborah (Abram Bos) Oosterhouse, Diane (Art) Vanderweide, Michelle Donk, Michael (Kirsten) Donk, Thomas (Janelle) Brandebury, Kimberly (Jerry) Boecker, Eric Watrous, Craig (Tiffany) Watrous, Jamie McKiernan, Christopher Blinkhorn, Kelsey Donk, Keenan Donk and Stephanie Hamacher. He also leaves 14 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews in the Netherlands. John was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1915. He moved his family of six children to the United States in 1956. It was a standing joke that when daughter Vera was born it was because he had to have one REAL American. He brought his love and skill of billiards with him, winning many trophies over the years and continued playing with the Carom Billiards Club until his death. He was also a skilled chess player and avid fisherman. John was well-loved by his children and grandchildren. Many memories were formed with weekends spent at Gun Lake with family and friends. The majority of these friends were Dutch as well, friendships formed upon arrival in the U.S. and maintained over many years. In later life, John developed an interest in metal detecting and could be seen practicing his "art" at many parks and beaches. He continued his love and skill at making ollie bollen and apple flappen every New Year's Day, using the same pan that he brought from the Netherlands over 50 years ago. John will be deeply missed by his many friends at Third Reformed Church and the Terraces at Maple Creek, where he resided with his wife and spent his last happy years. Friends may meet the family at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE Grand Rapids, MI on Sunday, February 2 from 3-5 PM. Services will be at Third Reformed Church, 2060 Michigan St., Grand Rapids, MI on Monday, February 3, at 2 PM. The family will be available for visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Terraces at Maple Creek, 2000 32nd St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.