Obituary of De Young

John E. De Young, the son of John and Katherine (Muilenburg) De Young, was born in Sanborn, IA on July 12, 1922. He attended country schools and grew up in the Sanborn-Melvin, Iowa area. He went on to serve honorably in the United States Army Air Force from October 13, 1942 to February 9, 1946 serving with the 1347th squadron in India and Burma. John worked in the mess hall serving 2000 men per meal. On August 9, 1946 John was united in marriage to Irene Jacobsma. To this union three children were born Vicki, Lanny and Terry. Following their marriage the couple lived in Melvin for sixty-two years. John loved working in restoring and beautifying new and older homes as an interior and exterior house painter, sheetrock finisher, wood-work finisher, and flooring installer. John and Irene moved to Prairie View Nursing Home in 2008. John passed away there on Friday, March 25, 2011, at the age of 88. John enjoyed fishing, gardening and preserving the produce with his beloved wife, Irene. He loved working with wood, and could build almost anything big or small. Most of all he cared and loved for his family, church friends and neighbors. He was a life-long member of the Melvin First Reformed Church. He also was a member of the Melvin American Legion for over sixty years. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Herman, Martin, Jim and Vern; and sisters: Jannette Graham and Wilma Raymond. John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Irene; his children: Vicki (Denny) Perry of Spirit Lake, IA, Lanny (JoAnn) De Young of Spencer, IA, and Terry (Peggy) De Young of Park Rapids, MN; five grandchildren: Jennifer, Aaron, and Martha De Young, Sara (Garrett) Kovach and Tim De Young and two great-grandchildren: Emma and Jack Kovach; two brothers: Bob of Yucaipa, CA, Glenn of Sarria Vista, AZ and sister: Dorothy (Lester) Snider of Spirit Lake, IA In loving memory of John E. De Young Born ~ July 12, 1922 Died ~ March 25, 2011 Age ~ 88 years 8 months 13 days Funeral service 10:30 a.m. ~ Tuesday, March 29, 2011 First Reformed Church ~ Melvin, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Al Honken Rev. Benson Den Hartog Organist ~ Harriet Mouw Congregational Singing Processional ~ "In This Very Room" #307 "In The Garden" #270 Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” #429 Pallbearers Jennifer De Young Martha De Young Sara Kovach Tim De Young Mindy Witham Aaron Wimmer Aaron De Young Ken Wimmer Ushers Bill Vierhout Craig Sorensen Military services American Legion Guthrie Post #470 Melvin, Iowa Inurnment Baker Township Cemetery Melvin, Iowa (at a later date)