Heemstra, John F. Rev.1870-1938

HEEMSTRA, MUILENBURG

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg -volunteer (email)
Date: 6/14/2011 at 18:58:24

Sioux County Capital April 21, 1938
Rev. Mr. J. F. Heemstra, 67, former pastor of churches in this vicinity died Thursday, April 7th at Santa Ana, Calif. He had gone to California to spend the winter, was taken ill and submitted to an operation. While recuperating
from his operation he suffered a stroke of apoplexy from which he failed to rally. He retired from the ministry last December after 40 years of service.
Mr. Heemstra was bom at Orange City on November 16, 1870. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. Heemstra early pioneer settlers of Sioux county and one of the first babies born in the new settlement at Orange City.
He attended the Northwestern Classical Academy, graduating in 1892. He graduated from Hope College in 1895 and New Brunswick Theological seminary in 1898.
On August 27, 1895 he was unit ed in marriage to Miss Adriana Muilenburg who died on February 27, 1937.
He served pastorates in Springfield, S. D., Sioux Center and New kirk, lA., and then served as principal of the Northwestern Classical Academy at Orange City.
From 1910 to 1914 Mr. Heemstra was pastor of Seventh Reformed church in Grand Rapids, Mich. He then accepted a call From the First Reformed church at Roseland, Chicago. From 1919 to 1928 he was pastor of the Fourth Reformed church at Holland, Mich, and from that time until his retirement he served Hudsonville Reformed church.
Active in many branches of the church, he was for several years president of the board of Christian Psychopathic hospital at Cutlerville.
He also served as a member of the board of Benevolencesof the Reformed Church in America, a member of the board of superintendents of Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Mich. and a member of the board of New Brunswick Theological seminary.
For several years he was editor of the Christian Cynosure.
He leaves one son, Clarence R. Heemstra, superintendent of schools at Fenton, Mich., one daughter, Lucille, Mrs. R. John Hager of East Grand Rapids, four grandchildren, one brother, Albert Heemstra of Orange City, two sisters, Mrs. M. Verburg of Orange City, and Mrs. H. Spinden of Doon.
Funeral services were held Tues day at Hudsonville, with Revs. J. Krohn of Hudsonville, 3. H. Bruggers of Coopersville, T. E. Welmers
of Holland and J. C. Van Wyk of Muskegon officiating. In ferment was made in the cemetery at Holland.