Cover photo for George Josephus Ossentjuk's Obituary
George Josephus Ossentjuk Profile Photo
1933 George 2020

George Josephus Ossentjuk

September 16, 1933 — January 18, 2020

George passed away in peace on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. He was born on September 16, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Rev. George and Anna Ossentjuk. He and his loving wife, Elinor (Holleman) were united in marriage in 1957. George is survived by two children, Marilyn (James) Ossentjuk-Kunnen, and Elaine (Craig) Ossentjuk-Sudeikis; three grandchildren, Joseph Kunnen, Eduard (Jaynine) Tamez, and Stephanie Nickols-Tobias. He is also survived by 4 great grandchildren, Aiden, Carlina, Emily, and L.J,and several nieces and nephews.

A wonderful and devoted husband and father and brilliant educator, George was born without sight but with the ability to see into the hearts of all he met. After graduating with honors from Lake Forest College, he was recruited in 1954 by Elim Christian School to create what became a highly successful and sought-after program for blind students. During this time, he received a master's degree in Education from the University of Denver. In 1960, he and his wife moved to Kalamazoo, where he began a 40-year tenure as Teacher Consultant for Visually Impaired students in the Kalamazoo Valley Intermediate School District (later KRESA). After retiring from this position, he taught Braille, including the Nemeth Code for Braille math, to graduate students in the Vision Studies program at Western Michigan University.

George's professional achievements included significant contributions toward a revision of the Nemeth Code. He was considered a world authority on Braille, and in 1991 was a Delegate for the American Foundation for the Blind White House Conference on Library and Information Services. He was also a founding member of the Board of Directors for Midwest Enterprises for the Blind, started in 1993 to provide employment opportunities for people who are legally blind. George volunteered in many ministries in his church and community. He taught Religious Education for over a decade at Kalamazoo's Wisner House, a Catholic group home for
developmentally disabled men. He joined his church's Evangelism Team and, later in his life, taught in Third Christian Reformed Church's Friendship Series for many years and, still later, was a dedicated and valued member of the church's Prayer Ministry. He also donated blood to the American Red Cross as often as he was eligible. The family extends special thanks to the community and staff of Friendship Village for their loving care of George during his final weeks.

Friends may meet the family Thursday, January 23 from 6-8 p.m. at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, 49009 or Friday, January 24 from 10-11 a.m. at Third Christian Reformed Church, 2400 Winchell, Kalamazoo, 49008. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Third Christian Reformed Church, with Rev. Derek Zeyl officiating. Interment will be at Fair Plains Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to OpenDoors Kalamazoo, PO Box 50102, Kalamazoo, MI, 49005
To order memorial trees in memory of George Josephus Ossentjuk, please visit our tree store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, January 24, 2020

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Third Christian Reformed Church

2400 Winchell Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

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Funeral Service

Friday, January 24, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Third Christian Reformed Church

2400 Winchell Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

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Reception

Friday, January 24, 2020

Third Christian Reformed Church

2400 Winchell Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

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