DeJong, Dwight G. – 1929-2010

CRAWFORD, DAMMAN, DE JONG, FINCH, JONTZ, LONG

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 6/26/2010 at 11:03:50

BAXTER — Dwight G. De Jong, 81, of Baxter passed away on Saturday June, 12, 2010, at the Baxter Care Center.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 18, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Baxter. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the church. A private family burial will immediately follow the service at the Restland Cemetery in Baxter.
Dwight was born in Baxter on April 28, 1929, to Ada (Crawford) and Louis De Jong. He attended and graduated from Baxter High School in 1946. On Sept. 19, 1954, Dwight married the love of his life Elna Mae (Damman), and of this union two sons were born.
Dwight was a very active Baxter businessman and an essential part of the community. He was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and trustee; served on the Baxter City Council; served as the president of Colonial Manor and also operated the nursing home from time to time until it was purchased by Glen and Beverly Van Zante; was a bank board member; served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning and Zoning Board and pool committee of the Baxter Recreation Park; was director of the State Savings Bank of Baxter for more than 25 years; and was a member of the American Legion Post 493 Baxter, Baxter Rescue Unit and Baxter Lions Club.
Dwight had a great love for his family, collecting clocks and repairing them, trains, BMW motorcycles and fishing. He always looked forward to the families annual spring fishing trip in Minnesota. He will be greatly missed by is family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Elna Mae; two sons, Bryan (Karen) De Jong of Baxter and Alan (Lisa) De Jong of Battle Ground, Wash.; four grandchildren, Taylor (Simon) Long, Zoey De Jong, Gabriel De Jong and Dylan De Jong; two sisters, Macy Jane Jontz of Newton and Minerva Jane Finch of Lincoln, Calif.
Dwight was proceeded in death by his parents and a brother, Darrel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the Congregational United Church of Christ.
Fredregill Family Funeral Home in Baxter has been entrusted with the care of Dwight and his family.
Source: Newton Daily News; Tuesday, June 15, 2010