Jack De Jong

Jacob “Jack” E. De Jong, age 83, of Dyer, IN, formerly of Hawthorne, NJ, and Ft. Myers, FL, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Born on February 20, 1936 at home in Prospect Park, NJ.  Following his schooling at Eastern Christian Academy, he served in the US Navy for four years during the Korean War. Upon returning to the US, Jack completed trade school for sheet metal and worked as a mechanic and foreman for 34 years. He courted and married Joyce H. Douma in 1959. Together they had three children and shared 60 years of faithful marriage.

A man of God, Jack lived a life of humble and contagious faith. He faithfully loved and served his family and God’s church, offering his time and talents to the Lord as a dedicated deacon and enthusiastic servant volunteer. A caring and funny guy, he always had a smile and warm greeting wherever he went. He taught us by example to work hard, that everything has a place, and the art of organization. He had many creative talents, and was known for his heartwarming and humorous rhyming poems. Some of Jack’s favorites were his wife’s home-made meals and baked goods, hanging out in his garage ‘workshop’ creating and fixing things, gospel music, family time, friends, boating, and travel by train… he will be dearly missed and remembered always with love.

Beloved husband of Joyce De Jong (nee Douma); devoted father and father-in-law of Bruce and Debbie De Jong, Laurie and Bob Bouwer, and Brenda De Jong; loving grandfather of Courtney (Joel) Jabaay, Caitlin (Ross) French, Grant (Gracie) Bouwer, Devon De Jong, Kyle (Amanda) De Jong, Carley (Zack) Hescott, Chase De Jong, and Maeghan De Jong; proud great-grandfather of Cohen, Camry & Chandler Jabaay, Summit & Saylor French, Brady & Cove Hescott, and Beau Bouwer; dear brother of Hank (Lois) De Jong; brother-in-law of Claire (Ken) Van Til and Diane (late Don) Langenburg. Jack is preceded in death by his parents Peter & Barbara De Jong, and his son Todd De Jong.

Visitation Monday, November 25, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Faith Church, 100 W. 81 ^st Ave. Dyer, IN, with a funeral service to be held at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Bob Bouwer officiating. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery - Elwood IL. Memorial contributions may be given to Faith Church.