Adrianus “Jos” Maarten TerHaar

Adrianus “Jos” Maarten TerHaar, on the day after his 69th birthday, departed this earthly struggle and is now at rest in the arms of Jesus. Jos will be remembered by those who knew and loved him for his love and support for his family, his sense of justice for those in need, and for his compassion and kindness. In his last days, the joy and confidence with which he looked forward to meeting his Savior was a powerful testimony to those he leaves behind. Jos is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Alida Smeda, Casey and Ruth TerHaar, and Liz and Bill Biel, and by his beloved nephews and nieces. Jos was preceded in death by his parents, Hendrik and Marie TerHaar; by his brother, Ted TerHaar; and by his brother-in-law, John Smeda. Jos was born in Indonesia in the years after WWII where his father served in the Royal Dutch Indonesian Army. Early in his life he began to struggle with the effects of celiac disease which plagued him for a lifetime and, along with the related cancers, eventually claimed his life. After emigrating from the Netherlands to the US at age nine, Jos attended G.R. Christian Schools, Calvin College, and Michigan State University. He worked for Kent Intermediate School District for many years, and in retirement worked for his much-loved church, Eastern Ave. CRC. A memorial service will be held for Jos on Saturday, July 1 at 2:00pm at Eastern Ave. CRC (514 Eastern Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids) with Reverend Thea Leunk officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00-1:45pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Ave. CRC for its food bank program.