Buwalda, John J. 1899-1995

BUWALDA, ROORDA, GOSSELINK, HIEMSTRA, VRIEZELAAR, VER DUGHT, RAY, KIRK

Posted By: Al Hibbard (email)
Date: 10/16/2013 at 09:48:19

John J. Buwalda

Services for John J. Buwalda, 96, of Pella, who died Nov. 5, 1995 at his home, were held November 9 at the First Reformed Church. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery.

The Rev. David Klanderman officiated at the services. Music was provided by Kris Van Vark, organist, and Michael and Ruth Ann Kuhn, vocalists.

Pallbearers were Edwin Buwalda, Edward Van Zante, Robert Hiemstra, Gerald Van Andel, Gerald Van Zante, and R. Walter Roorda. Honorary bearers were Rick Kunz. Merlin Hamm, Herbert Doddridge, Mark Bowermaster, William Messamer, Dennis Hainsey, Donald Thompson, Kendall Wessel, James Vande Voort, and Mark Vinge.

Mr. Buwalda was born on April 27, 1899 west of Pella in Lake Prairie Township, the son of John P. and Alice Roorda Buwalda. He attended Lincoln Grade School in Pella.

On Feb. 17, 1921, he married Anna Elizabeth Gosselink and two this union two daughters were born. She preceded him in death in 1926.

On June 6, 1929, he married Emma Annetta Hiemstra Vriezelaar. To this union one daughter was born.

He had a trucking business, and later, in 1935, moved to Montezuma where he purchased the Gamble Store. In 1937 he moved back to Pella and bought the OK Tire and Welding Shop which he ran until 1947 when they moved to Mesa, Ariz. There he owned the Arizona Trailer Service for nine years before moving back to Iowa. They lived in Newton and Kellogg, and in 1962, retired into Pella.

He was a lifetime member of the First Reformed Church.

Besides his first wife, he was preceded in death by his wife Emma in 1983; his parents; one daughter, Mrs. Frank (Sara) Plath; one stepson, Lee Vriezelaar; and one brother, Andrew.

He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Arie (Alice) Ver Dught of Monroe and Mrs. Leon (Ruth) Ray of Brookland Park, Minn.; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Raymond (Joyce) Kirk of Chariton; one stepdaughter-in-law, Mary Vriezelaar of Pella; 12 granddaughters; 21 great- grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild.

A memorial has been established to the First Reformed Church.