John Brinkman

Outgoing and fun loving, John Brinkman sought out ways to make life better for those around him. He worked hard to care for his loved ones and would sacrifice whatever was necessary to make sure they had what they needed. His generous nature reached beyond his immediate family as he took time to listen and talk to everyone he came in contact with. Most importantly, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, willing to help his loved ones in any way he could.

As the United States was celebrating a time of temporary peace and prosperity between the two world wars, John and Laura (Lemmen) Brinkman had a celebration of their own with the birth of their son, John Junior, on February 12, 1924, in Holland, Michigan. It was said that John was the spitting image of his father and grandfather. As a child, John’s family moved around quite a bit between the city and country. However, it was the wide-open space of their 20-acre farm located just south of Holland that John loved the most. Here he spent his leisure time down by the creek fishing and hunting for frogs or shooting BB guns with his friends. Because the family moved so often, John had a hard time adjusting to all the new schools and after completing the ninth grade he left to pursue his first job at 14, driving an oil truck.

At the age of eighteen, John, like many young men of the time, joined the United States Coast Guard. John proudly served on a buoy tender in Greenland. He was a water tender in the engine room and was trained in firefighting and damage control on a tank landing ship in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1946, John was honorably discharged from the service, receiving the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Once home, John met a young lady named Elaine Lundie, who at one time lived across the street from him. They soon fell in love and were happily married on June 12, 1947, at Trinity Reformed Church. John and Elaine shared many delights and heartaches together in their thirty-seven years of marriage. They rejoiced in the birth of their son, Jim, and the later addition of son, Timothy Jon, who was “chosen, not adopted.” They also mourned the loss of their two infant sons, who both died shortly after birth. Their son Tim was born with disabilities and together John and Elaine learned, struggled, and grew as a team to provide him with the special care he needed.

While Elaine stayed home caring for the needs of their family, John was a custodian at the Washington, Apple Avenue and Jefferson Elementary Schools in the Holland Public School system. He later worked out of the District Maintenance Building. He was also a bus driver and that included driving to the different sporting events. As the eldest of his co-workers, they often saved John the good routes.

A loving family man and friend to many, John had the type of personality that everyone loved to be around. His love for people was obvious from the moment they met him with his warm smile and kind nature. Because he cared about people and was understanding and compassionate, John started the Special Education Ministries, which meets every Thursday night at Hope Church. It was very important to John that this was a one to one ministry opened to everyone with educational impairments. In addition, John also taught Sunday School at the City Mission on 8th Street in the 1960s.

Unexpectedly in 1969, John’s beloved wife Elaine suffered a brain aneurysm. John took care of her for 14 years until she passed away in 1984. Although saddened by her passing, John did not give up on life and began attending widowed persons meetings. In 1987, at a meeting at Dunton Park, John met Joyce Walters, who had lost her husband, Floyd, in 1984. It was during this meeting while playing cards and making small talk that Joyce first noticed the twinkle in John’s eye. The next meeting was in Grand Haven and John offered to take Joyce since she had to work late and would not be able to ride with the other ladies. As they say, the rest is history! They were happily married on March 12, 1988, at Maplewood Reformed Church and honeymooned at das Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana, before traveling on to Kentucky, Virginia and then Ohio to visit with family. Together, the couple loved to travel. They took many memorable cruises, of which their favorite was to Alaska. The scenery and the sound of cracking icebergs were truly awesome. On another trip, John took Joyce back to New Jersey, where he was stationed in the Coast Guard and amazingly found the girl he met years before. From that encounter, both couples became friends. He and Joyce attended the Coast Guard Festivals and the Memorial Services they held each year in Grand Haven.

In his free time, John enjoyed listening to a variety of piano music, including classical, children’s songs, and hymns. His favorite song, however, that carried great importance to him was “Jesus Loves Me.” Although John preferred piano music to watching television, he did enjoy the antics of Red Skelton, Westerns, History Channel, and the Animal Planet. A good cook, John liked to grill hamburgers and was known for his excellent vegetable soup. Frequently he and Joyce enjoyed going out for dinner. Throughout his life, John was always fond of cars. He and Joyce were faithful attending their grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sporting events. John extended the tradition of making Advent Calendars, for his grandchildren, to his new family he shared with Joyce. John spent many hours doing woodwork until his hand tremors prevented him from doing what he loved.

John was not one to hide his affections, particularly for his beloved wife, Joyce. He often gave her yellow roses in a special crystal glass, which he told her was the sign of love. At the nursing home, John liked to give out hard candies to those who helped him, especially the staff. It was his way of saying thank you! Yet, on the other hand, John could be a bit of a rascal too, pulling little lighthearted pranks here or there. He lent his sense of humor and compassion to everyone around him and in doing so, brightened many lives.

Throughout his life, John tried every day to be the best man he could and was rewarded with a life of happiness for his efforts. John will be greatly missed and frequently remembered by the many people whose lives he touched.

John Brinkman, age 81 of Zeeland, MI, died on Monday, February 28, 2005, at Haven Park Christian Nursing Home. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elaine Brinkman, and two infant sons. John is survived by his wife of 17 years, Joyce Brinkman; children: Jim and Vicki Brinkman of Irons and Tim Brinkman of Holland; 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; stepchildren: Arlan and Lorna Walters of Zeeland, Randy Walters of Hudsonville, and Keith and Konie Walters of Zeeland; in-laws: Irene Rypstra of Wyoming, Bill and Beverly Lundie of Holland, Watson and Sandra Lundie of Holland, Harvey and Della Peters of Hamilton, Jaynet Peters of Overisel, Harold and Elaine Peters of Holland, Dennis and Harriet Walters of Zeeland, Wilma Busscher of Zeeland, Harold and Gen Walters of Hudsonville, Jean Avink of Hudsonville, Henry and Connie Walters of Holland, and Jason and Rose Walters of Zeeland; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 4, at the Maplewood Reformed Church, 133 East 34th Street, with the Rev. Clayton Smith III officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visiting will be from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Mulder Chapel 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, Michigan. Please visit John’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Special Education Ministries c/o Hope Church.