De Vries, Johnny 1958-2019

DE VRIES, BOERSMA, GLENN, EDMUNDSON, BREES, WESTFALL, STEWART, STREMICK, ROOZEBOOM, BRUZVOORT, VANDER WILT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:39

Johnny De Vries
August 19, 1958 - June 3, 2019

The journey of life for John De Vries began on August 19, 1958, in Des Moines, Iowa. His parents, Jacob and Berniece (Boersma) De Vries, had immigrated from The Netherlands and settled south of Galesburg, Iowa. Johnny graduated in 1976 from Pella Christian High School in Pella, with high honors for orneriness riding his motorcycle through the halls of the Pella Christian High School. He grew up with his siblings: Gerdena, Peter, Kathy, Cornelius who died infancy in 1952, Marlene, and Cornelia. He is the father of two children: Heather Dawn and Matthew Jacob. Johnny was a farmer at heart and has always enjoyed working with his hands but, most importantly, he found joy in helping others and being available for his friends, family and even strangers. On June 3, 2019, Johnny’s journey of life ended at the age of 60 years. He leaves his two children and their families:
Heather Van Hemert-Glenn and her husband, Bree Adam Glenn of Pella;

Payten and Josh Edmundson;

Paisly, Elliot;

Parker, Grayci, Halley Hayzel;
Matthew De Vries and his wife, Lacey, of Altoona, Iowa;

Ashton, Avari, Everett.

On October 23, 2004, he and Julie (Brees) De Vries who survives him were married and Johnny’s family expanded even more. They are:

Angie Brees of Knoxville, Iowa;

Devon and Amber Brees;

Layland, Roxie;

Ember and Harley Westfall;

Lukas, Paisley;

Braden, Kaylee, William, Michael, Ashlee, Jared;

Dustin and Kim Brees of Monroe, Iowa;

Kabrina and Jordan Stewart;

Isabelle, Faith;

(Pat Brees, died in 2001);

Jake, Shyann, Austin, Hannah;

Cassie;

Taylyn;

Dylon and Maddi Brees;

Ayden.

Johnny leaves the following siblings: Gerdena and Doug Stremick of Story City, Iowa, Marlys (Peter) De Vries of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Kathy and Marvin Roozeboom of Pella, Iowa, Marlene and Roger Bruxvoort of Reasnor, Iowa, Cornelia Vander Wilt of Pella along with their families. John was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob (Hiet) and Berniece De Vries; his two brothers: Cornelius and Peter De Vries; and his step-son, Pat Brees. Johnny’s 28 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren were his heart and soul; they are the reason he fought so hard through the toughest of times.

Graveside Services will be held
Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 10:00 am
Hewitt Cemetery, Galesburg, Jasper County, Iowa

Visitation will be Friday at Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella beginning at 3:00 pm with family present from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. ~ The Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home, Pella, Iowa 03 June 2019.