John W. Stursma, son of William and Hendrika Van Zee Stursma, was born on June 10, 1927, at the family home on a farm north of Pella. He passed away Thursday, July 31, 2014, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 87.

John received his early education at three country schools: European No. 3, Centennial, and Black Oak No. 6, where he graduated from eighth grade. His father passed away when John was 17.

On February 17, 1950, John was united in marriage with Erma May Vander Horst at the First Reformed Church in Pella. They were blessed with six children: Donald, Robert, Kenneth, Karen, Judy, and Mary. John, Erma and their family lived on three different farms in the Leighton area.

Before marriage John helped his parents on the farm and worked at the rock quarry. After marriage they farmed until moving to Pella in 1968. He worked briefly at Waechter Lumber Yard, Rolscreen Company, and the Gulf station in Pella. He then was employed at Vermeer Manufacturing for 20 years until retirement.

John was baptized at Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella and made profession of faith at Leighton Christian Reformed Church. He was a faithful member of the Leighton CRC, First CRC, and was currently a member of Covenant Reformed Church in Pella. In those churches he served as elder, deacon, and sang in the choir. He loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. John also enjoyed the morning coffee bunch, driving through the country, gardening, reading, poetry, and watching baseball. John was proud of his first car, a 1939 Studebaker. He was a God-fearing man who leaves a legacy for all of us to walk in the way everlasting.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Erma, their five children, and their families as listed. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Ruth Stursma Van Weelden of Pella, June Slagter of Pella, Willis and Linda Vander Horst of Pella, and Carl Russell of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Robert Lee, in 1952; his father in 1945 and his mother in 1983; siblings: Wilbur Stursma and Tressa Vander Schaaf; and his in-laws: Marvin Vander Schaaf, Norma Vander Horst Russell, and Marion Slagter.

Family:
Wife: Erma Stursma of Pella, Iowa

Children:
Donald Jay Stursma of Pella, Iowa
Mark and Brenda Stursma
Luke Stursma
Matthew Stursma
Jonathan and Jaclyn Stursma
Lucas Stursma
Carol and Dan Bruxvoort
Adrianna Bruxvoort
John Bruxvoort

Ken and Leona (Chapman) Stursma of Pella, Iowa
Alisa and Brad Melvin
Rachel Melvin
Abigail Melvin
Brady Melvin
Jeff Stursma
Kendra and Mark Braun
Madison Braun
Nolan Braun
Elijah Braun

Karen and Doug Saubert of Whitewater, Wisconsin
Sarah and Kevin Lang
Lisa Saubert

Judy and Daryl Van Zee of Pella, Iowa
Byron and Clarissa Van Zee
Asher Van Zee
Annika Van Zee
Tony Van Zee
Grant Van Zee

Mary and Richard Boomsma of Pella, Iowa
Michael Boomsma
Rebecca Boomsma
Lane Cox

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M., Monday, August 4, 2014
Covenant Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at 11:00 A.M., Sunday, August 3, 2014
with family present 2:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Pella Christian High School or
World Renew

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa

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