Jim Ver Meer, 84, of Pella, passed away Jan. 31, 2023. Funeral service was Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at Second Reformed Church in Pella. Memorials have been designated for Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
Written by Jim Ver Meer: Jim (James Edward) was born Apr. 3, 1938, to Jacob A. and Alyce (Zylstra) Ver Meer.
He was baptized and made profession of faith at First Christian Reformed Church, where he later served as Cadet counselor, Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder.
He went to Black Oak Center Country School through the sixth grade. He often rode his white pony, Echo, to school. He graduated from Pella Christian Grade School on Union Street and from Pella Christian High School on Jefferson Street with the Class of 1956—the year Highway 163 went from in front of their house to behind the barns. He went to Calvin College for two years and graduated from Iowa State with a degree in mechanical engineering.
After graduation, he started working at Rolscreen but was soon drafted into the Army. He was mostly stationed at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, where he worked with civilians in engineering. It was there, in Baltimore, that he bought the first 10-speed bicycle he ever saw. After his discharge, his restart at Rolscreen was delayed a day for President Kennedy's funeral.
Out for a ride on his motorcycle one beautiful June evening, as he was going by, Adonna Van Engelenhoven was coming out of her apartment to walk down the street to her boyfriend’s house. She accepted his offer of going for a ride. They slightly knew each other from the office at Rolscreen. Adonna said he would have to get rid of the motorcycle if he wanted her to marry him. They were married Aug. 11, 1967, in the Leighton CRC.
Three children were born to this union. Angela Dawn, May 27, 1972; Jason Todd, Dec. 29, 1973 (died at very premature birth); and Amanda Jo, Jan. 23, 1975. Mar. 13, 1996, Jim and Adonna were called out of a prayer service to be told Amanda had died in a car accident.
Jim became a huge biking enthusiast while he was in the Army. He rode his fold-up bike to work year-round for 28 years. Always with his friend, Bill Riherd, he rode parts of 19 RAGBRAIs, to which he looked forward all winter while exercising in the basement. After retirement, summer Thursday evenings in Central Park became very special to him, including ice cream during the band concert.
Adonna wanted to build a house. Jim told her they wouldn't do that while he was working. She said, "Quit working." Jim retired from Pella Corporation in 2000 after a 39-year career—two of which were while in the Army. They built their dream home at 1316 West Second in 2001 and moved there in 2002. In 2019, they greatly downsized to 700 Main—307, high above the grass and snow.
Jim was attending Second Reformed Church at the time of his death, where he volunteered by folding bulletins and the Round Robin newsletter, and monthly grocery distribution. He really enjoyed attending early-morning Men's Group. He and Adonna also went to CRC evening services—later becoming Cornerstone’s on-line morning service.
Jim loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, pulling them around and around the cul-de-sac in a red wagon behind his bicycle, going to the park, playing special-rules Uno, and more. He liked to help his family in various ways.
Jim believed his next big adventure will be the return of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Until then, he expected to be dead as a doornail. He also expected that he will be slightly missed by a few.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; son Jason; daughter Amanda; sister Judy Ver Meer; brother-in-law Buz DeVries; father-in-law Albert Van Engelenhoven; mother-in-law Tena Mae (Dahm) Van Engelenhoven; and brother-in-law Barry Van Engelenhoven.
He is survived by his wife Adonna, daughter Angie Ver-schuure, and three grandchildren: Ashton (Karter Smith) Verschuure, Keagan (Savannah Williams) Verschuure, and Maranda Ver-schuure; two great-grandchildren: Abel and Emma Smith; five sisters: Eunice DeVries, Bertha (Virgil) Terpstra, Brenda (Eldon) Nikkel, Glenda (Dwight) Vander Leest, and Esther (Ernie) Roose; many nephews and nieces; and several Ver Meer and Zylstra cousins.
