John passed away Friday evening at the Oskaloosa Care Center at the age of 96 years, 4 months and 25 days.

John W. Van Weelden, son of William and Jennie Bounma Van Weelden, was born October 24, 1914 at the rural home of his parents, south of Oskaloosa. He was the oldest of fourteen children. He attended "Red School" in Harrison Township. After graduating from eight grade he began helping his father on the family farm. John married Cornelia "Kay" Jacoba DeRonde, February 28, 1936, in Oskaloosa. At that time John started to farm for himself. He and Kay established their home and farm 4 miles west of Lacey, Iowa; where they raised their five children. John retired from farming after 35 years and went to work for Mathew Lumber and Carpet Company. He worked full time for several years and then went to part-time work, he eventually retired in 1989. After 60 years of marriage, Cornelia went to be with the LORD October 10, 1996. John was soon blessed with the companionship of Ruth(VerNeer)Stursma Van Weelden and they were married at John's home in Oskaloosa, May 23, 1997.

John was baptized at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa and from 1926 to 1960 he was a member of the Protestant Reformed Church. In 1960, he trasferred his membership back ot the First Christian Reformed Church. John served on the church council as a deacon for 2 years and an elder for 24 years. He taught Sunday school classes, including Junior and Senior Men's, Mr. & Mrs. Society and Catechism Classes. John served on the Oskaloosa Christian School Board for several years. He was a former member of the Oskaloosa Kiwanis Club, Gideons and Promise Keepers. John will be remembered as a man that was always ready to help a friend or neighbor, no matter what the need; and his neighborhood reached as for a Bolivia when he and Kay traveled there for a mission trip. John enjoyed bowling and golfing(until age 94)and has traveled every state except Hawaii and Louisiana.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth of Oskaloosa; his sons and daughters-in-law: Leroy and Lola Van Weelden of Osage Beach, MO; Casey and Esther Van Weelden of Pella, IA and John Henry and Pat Van Weelden of Albia, IA; daughters and sons-in-law: Alida Ann Van Weelden of Asheville, NC and Janice Kay and Al Rozenboom of Cutlerville, MI; fifteen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; two great great grandchildreen; sisters and brother-in-law: Dorothy DeRonde of Oskaloosa; Anna Kelderman of Mesa, AZ and Francis & Lester Spoeistra of Redlands, CA; brothers and sisters-in-law: Henry and Grace Van Weelden, Ray and Wilma Van Weelden, Harold and Eileen Van Weelden and Wilma Van Weelden, all of Oskaloosa; Rev. James and Adrianna Van Weelden of Grimsly, Canada and Ernest and Mary Van Weelden of Wesley, IA; many nieces and nephews and a host of very good friends including Sam Van Masnen. Besides his parents and his first wife, Cornelia, John was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Joan Elizabeth; three brothers: William, Jr., Peter and an infant brother; and two sisters: Sylvia Kelderman and Jean Boender. Memorial contributions may be made to Oskaloosa Christian School Endowment Fund.

Visitation will begin at 11 am Tuesday morning, March 22, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 pm to greet visitors.
Funeral Service 10:30 am Wednesday morning, March 23, 2011 at the First Christian Reformed Church with Reverend Dale Visser officiating. A Family Prayer Service will be held at 10:15 am in the church fellowship hall.
Interment: Forest Cemetery.