John N. Van Zee was born June 9, 1931, to Bert and Johanna (Willemsen) Van Zee in Otley, Iowa on the family-owned farm.

He attended country school through the 8th grade at Liberty Corner and later in life got his high school equivalency by passing the GED. He was a member of the Otley Christian Reformed Church where he was baptized and made profession of faith at the age of 19. He was a member there until the church closed and his parents joined the First Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa. Later the family moved to Monroe where he helped his father farm until he entered the United States Army on March 10, 1952. He did his basic training in Ft. Gordon, Georgia. John was trained in communications and then went overseas to Germany for about a year. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged from service on February 17, 1954, and returned home to his family. Shortly after returning home, on March 3, 1954, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Edith Spoelstra, at the home of her parents in Pella. Like many young couples at the time, they met in Pella while “cruising” the square. They first worked on a farm not far from John’s parents. They later moved to a farm by Pella until 1967, when they moved to a larger farm by Leighton, where they remained until they retired to a home in Pella. John also started working for the United States Postal Service while still farming continuing that job after moving to Pella and retiring in January of 1995.

John was a member of the American Legion Post 89 his entire life. He also donated his time for over a decade to the Pella Historical Society during his retirement. He joined Second Christian Reformed Church (now Cornerstone Church) after his marriage and was an active member for over 60 years. He served in many capacities, as a Sunday School teacher, on church committees, and serving as Deacon and Elder for over 21 years. He devoted his life to the Lord, his faith, and family.

John thoroughly enjoyed family reunions and his cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of his life. He and Edith liked to travel going all over the United States. They went overseas to Italy, Ireland, and went to Hawaii with other couples from their church for their 25th wedding anniversary. He also loved working outside on his home and lawn and gardening. John moved to Fairhaven and then to The Cottages where he has enjoyed friendships with many he knew throughout his life and joined in many of their planned activities and outings. He remained there until the time of his passing. He passed away on December 2, 2025, at the age of 94.

John is survived by his children and their families:

Janice (the late Reuben) Buwalda, Pella

     Dennis and Amy Killoren

          Alex Killoren

          Sarah and Dakota Lisk

          Tyler Killoren and Hannah Nicholson, fiancée

          Ryan Killoren

(The late Jim) Bev Van Zee, Pella

     Sara Van Zee

     Kimmy and Zach Marsh

          Maddy Van Zee

         Waylon Marsh

         Kinzley Marsh

         Bowen Marsh

John is also survived by his sister Harriet (Merlin) Van Vark as well as many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife Edith, son Jim Van Zee, parents Bert and Joanna Van Zee, parents-in-law Jacob and Emma Spoelstra, brother Albert Van Zee, sons-in-law Donald Pokorney and Reuben Buwalda, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Renee Van Zee, Cornie and Elvera Spoelstra, Arie and Wilma Spoelstra, and Harold and Freda Spoelstra.

Memorials may be given to Pella Christian Schools.