John Wayne DeRooi was born August 11, 1933, to Joseph and Effie (Van Engelenhoven) DeRooi, at his parents' home in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

John was an only child who grew up on what would become a century farm.  He attended Prine Country School through eighth grade. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956.

On June 24, 1954, he was united in marriage to Gladys Ann Pothoven in the Peoria Christian Reformed Church. To this union they were blessed with five children: Valerie, Kent, Keith, Robert and Jeffrey. John farmed with his dad and continued with his sons. He made public profession of his faith in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. He was currently a member of Covenant Reformed Church where he served as an elder many times. He loved his life's work as a farmer and caring for the land was his joy.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Gladys and their family:

Valerie Dawn Duke, Hiawatha, Iowa

Melissa and Chad Seaton

Mason, Riley

Megan and Derek Swan

Sophia, Emmett

Kent J. DeRooi, Oskaloosa

Jennifer DeRooi

Harmony

Heidi and Matthew Koster

Laila, Lydia, Lucas, Lily

Zachary DeRooi

Jesse DeRooi

The late Keith Bryan DeRooi and Valerie (Rhoads) DeRooi, Oskaloosa

Tyler and Nicole DeRooi

Ella, Everett

Robert John and Kandy (Swank) DeRooi, Oskaloosa

Michael DeRooi

Michelle DeRooi (Jon Herr)

Jamie and Logan Anderson

Livia

Jeffrey Wayne DeRooi, Oskaloosa

John is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Vera Franje of New Sharon, and Marcia Pothoven of Peoria.

John was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Otto and Effie (Stursma) Pothoven, son Keith DeRooi, sisters-in-law: Gladys Pothoven and Cathryn Van Wyk; brothers-in-law: Harry Van Wyk, Marion Franje, and Stan Pothoven.

Hospice of Pella - Day of Care
Pella IA

Peoria Christian School
Peoria-Pella IA