John Jr. Van Gorp was called to his eternal home on Feb. 28, 2020, at the age of 89 years. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 4, at Covenant Reformed Church, Pella. Memorials are preferred for 29 Acres (a home for young adults living with autism) or Pella Christian High School.
John was born on June 14, 1930, the youngest of five children born to John M. and Minnie (Blom) Van Gorp. He grew up with three sisters, Gertrude, Matilda, and Evalena and his brother Edward. He attended Wheat Grove Country School near his home. John was a farmer at heart. He enjoyed working as a young boy alongside his father. Later John and his sons thoroughly enjoyed farming together for many years. On Nov. 20, 1952, he was united in marriage with Dorothy Jean Rus at the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella. John and Dorothy were both baptized and made professions of faith at this church. They baptized their children and witnessed their professions of faith there. John served many years as deacon and elder. They are currently members of Covenant Reformed Church. John and Dorothy loved living in the country and raised their family there. They made a home for John’s widowed father for nine years. A farm east of Pella was their home for 28 years. In 1980, they moved up the road half a mile to an acreage and lived there for 35 years. In 2015, they moved into Pella. John’s faith and love for God guided his life. He loved Dorothy, his wife and best friend. Together they faithfully and lovingly raised their family. As John’s health declined, Dorothy lovingly and faithfully cared for him and cherished their time together. Their children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren are blessed by their example. John and Dorothy were truly blessed with a full life, being married for 67 years. They prayed for and enjoyed their six children: Ruth (Gary) Van Heukelom of Williamsburg, Sherry (Ron) Groenenboom of Leighton, John (Barb) Van Gorp of Pella, Jim (Diane) Van Gorp of Pella, Jana (Bill) Dembski of Pella, and Mark Van Gorp of Pella; 19 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren with one more arriving soon.
John’s surviving family includes sisters-in-law: Wilma (Rus) Ryken, Frances Rus, Jerri (Rus) Jansen, Linda Rus, and brothers-in-law: Marvin Rus and Carol and Arnold Gritters. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings and their spouses: Gertrude and Everett Meinders, Edward and Edith Van Gorp, Matilda and Gary Vermeer, Evalena and Arie Roozeboom; parents-in-law Henry and Johanna (Kruseman) Rus; brothers-in-law: John Rus, Donald Rus, Arnie Ryken, and Cornie Jansen; and sister-in-law, Nancy Gritters.
