John Buiter

November 16, 2020

John Buiter, of Jenison, born December 12, 1931, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, November 16, 2020. He was preceded in death by Thea (Bylsma), his dear wife of 62 years. He was the loving father to Cindy and Ralph VanderVeen, David Buiter, Deb and Randy Gelderloos, Karen and Bob Ensink, and Anne Buiter, and grandfather to 11 grandchildren (and 9 spouses), and 22 great-grandchildren.

John grew up on a farm in Palos Heights, IL, brother to the (late Everett) & Sadie (Knoper) Buiter, late Bertha & Wally DeVries, Clara & (late Gise) VanBaren, late Bill & Joan Buiter, Anne & (late Allan) Vis, late Albert & Jean Buiter, Neal (late Cheri) & Bernice Buiter, Jim & Janet Buiter, late Jeanne Buiter, and Rich & Mary Buiter. He was brother-in-law to the late Stu & Betty Bylsma, late Ken & Anne Bylsma, late Mae & Marvin Koerner, late Barb & Ed Cammenga, (late Esther) & Frank and Judy Block, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He served in the US Army in Korea as a medic and x-ray technician in the 1950s and graduated from Calvin College with a BA in Education/Administration in the 1960s. He taught at Adams PR Christian School and Hope PR Christian School, where he also was the administrator from 1969-1997. He had a deep concern for the education of children with special needs, shown especially in his loving care of his daughter, Anne who has Down Syndrome. He was also a long-term member of Hope Protestant Reformed Church, serving several terms as elder and on the PR Theological School Committee.

Anyone who talked to him would learn that his interests were wide and varied. He was an avid reader of church and world history, politics, medicine, and more. He especially enjoyed sharing his latest reading with anyone who would lend a listening ear. Besides teaching math, science, and art, he enjoyed doing origami and crossword puzzles.

A private funeral service for the family will be held at 11 am on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home in Grandville with Pastor Jon Mahtani officiating. Masks are required due to Covid-19 safety precautions. Live streaming of the service can be viewed at www.mkdfuneralhome.com by scrolling down to the bottom of the home page and clicking the “Join Live Stream” link.

A private interment will be held at River Bend Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Protestant Reformed Special Education or Georgetown Harmony Homes.

Leave Your Tribute Message

November 21, 2020

John was certainly a part of my life and I am thankful for that. John was the first principal under whom I served as a teacher. That was during the school years 1974-76. John and I were on the first board of PR Special Ed together. Those were the years in which the program was getting up and going. John was a source of wisdom and strength for the rest of us.

- Pete VanDer Schaaf

November 18, 2020

John was to me a former teacher, later in life a fine colleague, a fellow special officebearer, and a good friend. My condolences go to his entire family. I have to confess that when I heard of John's passing that my first words were, "Hallelujah, Hallelujah." John has gone to be with his Lord and Savior, which had been his greatest desire. He now lives in perfect peace,; he now no longer lives in isolation, but with all of the saints that gather about the throne of grace. Tom and Marilyn DeVries

- Tom DV

November 17, 2020

As the obituary said, John's interests were wide and varied. His avid reading was always apparent in the conversations we had. I was privileged to have him as my administrator during most of the years I taught at Hope School. He was a Godly man of much wisdom. My condolences to his whole family! "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." Psalm 116:15.

- Anita Haak

November 17, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. As Christians, we find so much comfort in knowing our loved ones are in heaven rejoicing and singing with our Heavenly Father. Grace and peace.

- Mark & Pat