John DeGroot
John DeGroot
February 20, 1931 – November 12, 2011
Oskaloosa and formerly of Rose Hill
Visitation: will begin at 10 a.m., Monday morning, November 14, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be present from 4 – 7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, November 15, 2011 at the First Christian Reformed Church with Reverend Dale Visser officiating. A family prayer service will be held in the church fellowship hall at 10:15 preceding the funeral service.
Interment: Forest Cemetery.
John passed away Saturday morning at Mahaska Health Partnership. He was 80 years, 8 months and 20 days of age.
John Harold DeGroot, the fourth of nine children, of George and Bertha Hollander DeGroot, was born February 20, 1931 at the home of his parents in rural Rose Hill, Iowa. As a youngster he attended a one room country school and helped on the family dairy farm. As a young man he was employed as a hired man for several area farmers. He married Dorothy Irene Van Roekel, February 17, 1955, in Oskaloosa. The first year of their marriage, they lived on a farm west of New Sharon. They then moved to the farm they called home for 39 years; where they ran a small dairy operation. Although the dairy operation was his work, John loved running it. His sons assisted him on the farm and he eventually turned the operation over to his son, Randall. He also enjoyed repairing and refinishing furniture. John delighted in his family and Friday evening, and later, Sunday afternoon get-togethers were a highlight of his week. John has been a resident of Crystal Heights Care Center since 2007. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa.
John’s family includes his children: Richard and Belinda DeGroot of Rose Hill, Roger and Cleo DeGroot of Oskaloosa, Ruth and Melvin Gott of Montezuma, and Randall DeGroot of Rose Hill; nine grandchildren: Nicole (Brandon) Williams; Elizabeth, Kelsey, Sarah, Tracy and Timothy DeGroot; and Felicia, Cody & Harriett Gott. John was looking forward to his first great-grandchild. He is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law: Kenneth DeGroot of Rose Hill, Lee and Carolyn DeGroot of Oskaloosa, and Howard and Donna DeGroot of Oskaloosa; a sister-in-law, Martena DeGroot of Pella; and a sister and brother-in-law, Beulah and Gary DeGraaf of Pella.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy on September 21, 2001; three brothers, Ray, and Gary and Clarence as children; a sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Dick Hardeman; and two sisters-in-law, Linda DeGroot and Darlene DeGroot.
Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Services or the First Christian Reformed Church Building Fund.
