VanLaar, John, 1901-1932

VANLAAR

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2016 at 21:05:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, February 5, 1932:

Mr. J. W. Van Laar went to Holland, Mich., last week to see his son John who was very sick. A wire received by Mrs. Van Laar Wednesday morning, told that John had passed away Tuesday evening at 10 P.M. John had last year finished an eleven-year course of preparation for the ministery of the Gospel. In the spring his health began to fail, he went to Mayo Bros. at Rochester, Minn., and for a while he appeared to be doing well. Of late, however, he has gone down very rapidly. We bow and say, The Lord knows what is best. Our sympathy is with the mourning father and the brothers and sisters.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, February 12, 1932:

JOHN VAN LAAR

The young man who bore this name was born November 2, 1901, in the Netherlands. In 1907 he came with his parents and the other members of the family to the U.S. They took up their abode in Grand Rapids, Mich., where they lived three and a half years. In 1911 they all came to Rock Valley. He finished the grades here and worked with his folks on the farm until his 19th year. After that he spent one year in the Western Academy at Hull, Ia., and ten years in Calvin College and Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, preparing for the ministery of the Gospel.

In the spring of 1931 he successfully passed his final examination and was declared a candidate for the ministery. However, his health had been failing for some time, kidney trouble, brights disease, had been developing. In August he went to Mayo Bros. at Rochester, Minn., he stayed there three weeks and was ordered to take a long rest. He made his home with his brother, the Rev. L. Van Laar, in Holland, Mich. For some time his condition seemed favorable, but after a while it became evident that he was losing out. A few weeks ago he was removed to the hospital at Holland in order that he might be given all the relief possible. After eight days in the hospital he passed away on February 2, 1932, at 10 P.M.

Happily his father and brother and sisters could all be with him. They spent many happy hours. John constantly testified of the grace and loving kindness of Jesus the Savior to Whom he had surrendered with his whole heart. Many a psalm and hymn did they together sing to the praise of the Lord. How blessed to depart that way! John is survived by his parents, living in Rock Valley, three brothers and four sisters.

The funeral took place Friday, February 5, at 2 P.M. at Grand Rapids, Mich. His body was laid to rest with the remains of relatives who had passed on before.