Vellinga, John R. 1912-1999

VELLINGA, VANDERWILT, VANMEETEREN, KOOIMAN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

Source: Sioux Land Press (4-21-1999)

Born: March 12, 1912
Died: April 11, 1999

John R. Vellinga, 87, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 1999, at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon. Services were held on Wednesday, April 14, 1999 at the Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Reverend Gary Vande Kamp officiating. Burial was held in West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City, Iowa under the direction of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon. The flag presentation was by American Legion Post #145 of Sheldon.

John R. Vellinga, the son of Ringert and Nellie VanderWilt Vellinga, was born March 12, 1912, on a farm near Carnes, Iowa. He attended country school and graduated from Northwestern Academy in Orange City, Iowa.

He married Margaret L. Kooiman on June 1, 1937 and served in the Air Force during WW II. He was part of the 9th Air Force 416th Bombardier Group and flew 17 missions in the European Theater of Operations.

He was employed for many years at the Gambles and the Montgomery Wards Stores. Margaret preceded him in death on January 2, 1969. On September 15, 1969, he was united in marriage to Mary Van Meeteren. His life was blessed by their union.

He was richly rewarded with the companionship and association of her family members and relatives which included four children, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

He passed away on Sunday, April 11, 1999, at the Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon, reaching the age of 87 years and 29 days.

He was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church. He served on the consistory and taught Sunday School. He was a member of the American Legion and V.F.W. He was elected to serve on the Sheldon City Council where his term ran for eight years.

John is survived by his wife, Mary of Sheldon; a son, John Mark and his wife Carmen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; a granddaughter, Haley Christine of Sioux Falls; a grandson, Adam John of Boulder, Colorado; three step-children, Howard Van Meeteren, Dolores Kruger, Darlene Verrips all of Sheldon; a sister, Jenny De Vries of Orange City; also a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and six sisters, and a step-son, LeRoy Van Meeteren.