LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

John VanWestrienen

April 13, 2018
Scottsdale, AZ

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

John Frederick vanWestrienen celebrated his 82nd birthday on April 3rd. 10 days later, after a sudden heart attack, he was welcomed into heaven by his Lord and Savior. John was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1936 to Henry and G. Leone vanWestrienen, who were both teachers and leaders in their community. John spent his career working in the Paper Printing Industry, but his passion was helping and serving others, especially through his handyman skills. John married his wife Jan in 1972 at Sunnyside United Methodist Church, where they were lifelong members. They spent a decade of summers (1980-1990) living at TimberTrails in Decatur, where Jan was the food service director for the public school system. John formed many treasured lifelong friendships along the shores at Lake of the Woods. John was a proud Kalamazoo resident for 79 years before relocating to Scottsdale AZ full time in 2015 to join the wonderful communities at Oasis Park and Camelback Christian Church. John was preceded in death by both his parents, his son Thomas, and his sister in law Donna. He is survived by his two brothers; James of PawPaw MI and Paul (Barbara) of Hart MI, also his wife Jan of Scottsdale AZ, daughter Jayne (Derek) of Holland MI, and son Jim (DeNae) of Evergreen CO. John was lovingly known as "Poppy" to his 8 grandchildren (ages 4-17) whom he was immensely proud of. John was a 25+ year member of the Mattawan Masonic Lodge, and an honored past president. His love for music and singing was evident throughout his life. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony, longtime choir member at Sunnyside church, and a Barbershop Harmony Society quartet and chorus member in both Michigan and Arizona. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 23rd in Kalamazoo for family and friends to celebrate John's life. In Lieu of flowers, John requested memorial gifts be made to the Friends of Brooke and Brielle Trust (two young sisters living with SMA -Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Donations can be mailed to: PO Box 740 Mattawan MI 49071 or online at http://www.icanandiwill.com/