John Zuidema

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John Zuidema, age 87, of Jenison, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 24, 2021. He attended Eastern Christian Academy in Paterson, NJ, and Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ before serving in the US Navy. After his time of service, John moved to Grand Rapids and met his wife, Gladys, while attending the Reformed Bible Institute. Starting in 1968, he and his family served two and a half years as missionaries of the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria. John worked many years at BDO Seidman and was a member of over 50 years at Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed Church where he served as an elder numerous times. John was a transportation historian collecting data on the Erie and Susquehanna railroads, public service buses, and trolleys in New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gertrude Zuidema, and brother, Jimmy Zuidema. John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Gladys; his children, Bill and Jana Zuidema, Calvin Zuidema, Mary Zuidema, Tim Zuidema; three grandchildren, Rachel, Johnny, Isaiah; two sisters, Ruth Stelpstra, Arlene and Rev. Stuart Pastine; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jason and Judy Shoemaker, Larry and Barb Shoemaker; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Beaverdam Christian Reformed Church, 5166 64th Ave, Hudsonville. Burial at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Appalachia Reach Out or the benevolence fund at Beaverdam CRC.