John Vander Plaats

John Vander Plaats

John Vander Plaats, age 83, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2009, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 10, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. Rev. Greg Timmer officiating.

Burial in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 9, 2009, from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. all at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon.

The Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service in charge of arrangements for John Vander Plaats.

John Vander Plaats was born on November 21, 1925 in Sibley, Iowa. He was the son of Arie and Sadie (Damstra) Vander Plaats.

When John was 13 years old, his parents and brother, Wilton, were killed in a vehicle accident.

John lived his youth in Sheldon, Iowa, where he attended the Sheldon Christian Grade School.

He was an honorary Sheldon high school graduate, in 2001.

He served in the United States Navy, during World War II, from 1944 to 1946, where he attained the rank of Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged.

He later served in the Iowa National Guard.

He was united in marriage to Kathryn Ennema of Sheldon, Iowa, on February 25, 1949, at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sheldon. They were married for 60 years. They lived in Sheldon where John owned and operated Van's Body Shop for over 30 years. He was a GAB Insurance Adjuster for over 20 years.

John was faithful to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and a very active member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, where he had served as an elder and deacon, taught Catechism and Sunday School, and had served on the Midwest Evangelism Board. He also served on the Sheldon Christian School Board.

He was a Charter Member of the Avenue of Flags, member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion, where he served as Commander for many years, and was M.C. for the Memorial Day Services in Sheldon, for many years.

John was a member and past president of the Prairie Queen Kiwanis, a former member of the Sheldon Community Museum Board, Sioux Land Adjusters, and Founding Advisory Board Member of NITC/NCC Auto Body.

John passed away on Monday, April 6, 2009, at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife: Kathryn; his children: Stan Vander Plaats of Sheldon, IA, Sandra Kay De Groot of Hudsonville, MI, Jerry and Stephanie Vander Plaats of Sheldon, IA, Brian Vander Plaats of Columbia, MO, Bob and Darla Vander Plaats of Sioux City, IA; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother: Gerrit Vander Plaats of Sheldon, IA; one sister: Myrna and husband Courtney Albers of Alvord, IA; special friend: Ruth Klein of Sioux City, IA; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by two sons: Harlan and infant son Bradley; one daughter: Barbara; his parents; three brothers: Wilton, Harold, and infant Gerrit.

MILITARY HONORS V.F.W. and American Legion Post, Sheldon, Iowa Taps by Gerald Pallesen* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 3 2019, 18:53:07 UTC