John Koetje

KOETJE, John
Kalamazoo Went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, July 31, 2010. John was born June 8, 1925 in Kalamazoo, the son of Abel and Agnes Bonnema Koetje and was a lifelong resident of Kalamazoo. He was a self employed building contractor for many years and had worked for Bronson Hospital for 14 years. He was a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church and served his country during WW II in the United States Army. On June 14, 1946, he married Harriet Jean Koning, who preceded him in death on April 23, 1996. He was also preceded by his parents and his brother, Jack Koetje. On January 3, 1998, he married Bertha Ver Hey Van Meekeren, who survives. John is also survived by his children, Richard J. Ruth Koetje of Kalamazoo and Donna J. Burns of Zeeland; step-daughter, Brenda Dan Batts of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Jeffrey Koetje, Kristen Trevor Lehoczky, Brenda Van Rhee Laverne Dreyer, Brian Van Rhee, Kyle, Kaitlin and Caleb Batts; great grandchildren, Ryan, Brendan, Joshua, Brittany and Brandon; a sister, Eileen Grover Brussee of Kalamazoo; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM in the Grace Christian Reformed Church, 1724 Whites Road, with Rev. Greg Timmer and Rev. Dr. Harry Arnold officiating. Interment will take place in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Memorials may be given to Grace Christian Reformed Church Building Fund or the Kalamazoo Christian School Association. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508