John Vanden Bosch

John Vanden Bosch was a hardworking honest man. He was known to the many who loved him as a pleasant and cheerful man who could only be described as being "full of it". He will be remembered as a content, loving person.

In 1923 the world was changing. The United States was recovering from the First World War, and for the first time it became possible for some Americans to relax in front of the television set which was invented early in the year. For Koenie J. and Dena (Balder) Vanden Bosch in West Olive, however, there was no time to relax. On May 18, 1923 Dena gave birth to John Vanden Bosch, the third in a family of nine children including: Janet, Jake, John, Gerald, Donna Mae, Connie, Hilda, Genevieve, and Harold.

With nine children life was always interesting and full of good times at the Vanden Bosch home. Growing up on a farm, John always had many chores to do. However, John still found time to attend school through the eighth grade, when he began to work at the family farms and others fulltime, and at age 18 made the courageous decision to serve his country in the United States Army.

In 1944, however, John was ready to settle down and start a family and on March 4, 1944, he made Betty Jean Vander West his wife. The two lovebirds started their family home on 445 East Lakewood in Holland, Michigan. While the couple was getting started, John worked at Holland Furnace. Two years after the marriage, Diana was born in 1946 and five other children followed: John J. in 1949; Jack in 1951; Jim in 1958, Tommy in 1962; and Tammy in 1966. The Vanden Bosch children all attended West Ottawa Public schools while John worked to support the family at Associated Truck Lines; a job John would dedicate himself to for forty-seven years.

Besides being very busy with his family and work, John was also committed to his faith and attended Pine Creek Christian Reformed Church before later joining Central Wesleyan Church in the early 1960s.

John also loved being outdoors; a skilled hunter, John and his relatives would often venture to the Upper Peninsula by ferry to hunt deer and even rabbits. He would take his kids up there and they would often camp-out and fish. John also always remembered his farm roots, and would even work for farms and attended livestock auctions in Wayland and Ravenna even when he worked full time for the trucking company.

While not keeping busy with work and farming, John enjoyed the simple things in life: he loved eating at Russ' Drive-in, the A & W, and Jack's Restaurant in Holland. Russ also kept busy with traveling, visiting Betty's family in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

John also enjoyed relaxing with his friends over smoked fish, liver and onions, and a cold beer, perhaps while listening to his favorite country and gospel music performed by Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

While he was working, his family remembers him going on long road trips for his job, often staying in Michigan he would leave early in the morning and return to the family home late at night, in time to relax with beer and a newspaper. The house on Lakewood remained home for the Vanden Bosch family until 1988 when the area became too commercial and he sold the property and built a home on 2886 Beeline in 1989.

John was a good friend, and would faithfully meet with his friends at the Tap Room once a week. He was so dedicated, in fact, that when John was unable to drive himself his family would take him. John was always very close to his family, and was proud of the fact that he had 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grand sons. In fact, he was always proud of his children and grandchildren no matter what they did. He was also very dedicated to his wife. He took good care of Betty - whatever she wanted she got and whatever he wanted he got; their marriage was mutual. When Betty died on March 19, 2003 he had a very difficult time. John struggled after losing her and became lonely and eventually developed more health problems, John just wanted to be with Betty.

John lived a full and happy life during his eighty-years, when his wish to join Betty was granted and he was able to join her and his Lord and Savior on December 5, 2003. John was preceded in death by his son Tommy and his wife Betty Jean. He is survived by his loving children Diana and Gene Ryzenga of Holland; John J. and Jane Vanden Bosch of Zeeland; Jack Vanden Bosch of Holland; Jim and Dawn Vanden Bosch of Zeeland; Tammy Steketee of Zeeland. He was a loving grandfather to his ten grand children and three great-grand sons. His brothers and sisters Janet and Claire Van Wieren of East Saugatuck; Jake and Judy Vanden Bosch of Holland; Connie and Bernie Velthouse of Holland; Hilda and Maynard Vander Yacht of Omaha, Nebraska; and Harold and Linda Vanden Bosch of Holland; and sister-in-law will always remember him.

The Funeral and Committal Services for John will be held on Tuesday at 2:30pm at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes on 188 West 32nd Street. Friends and family can gather to remember John on Monday from 7-9pm at the Mulder Chapel. Burial will be held at the North Holland Cemetery.

To read John's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contrition to Hospice of Holland or the American Cancer Society, please visit John's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com