John Rosier

John Arthur Rosier of Grand Rapids Township was taken home to Heaven by Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on Friday, May 7, 2021. His testimony of faith in Jesus happened on April 16, when he surrendered his life and will to Jesus’ call (Rev 3:20), 3 weeks before being called home by Jesus. PTL He spent the last 4 years battling mental and physical decline which was finally diagnosed as MSA (Multiple Systems Atrophy.} He fought to the end until the dementia took over his life. The last week of his life he was cared for by the loving and skilled staff at Faith Trillium Woods Hospice after his wife June could no longer provide the safety, comfort, and dignity at home that he needed. His family surrounded him with love during the 6 days leading up to the end of his life here on earth.

He was born and grew up in Evergreen Park, IL, graduating from Chicago Christian High School in 1955. He then moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College where he met the love of his life, June Ver Meer from Pella, IA. They were married in 1960 and made Grand Rapids their home. He earned a BA Degree from Calvin College in 1959 and an MSW (social work) degree from Michigan State in 1962. He spent his career years as therapist and supervisor at the Grand Rapids Child Guidance Clinic, a substance abuse counselor at Salvation Army Turning Point, and a Private Practice counselor.

John loved his family, his sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughters. The days of fishing with his sons where high points in his life. Later he especially enjoyed the days when his granddaughters would sleep over night and "Grandpa" could read and tell them stories, using "voices." He also thoroughly enjoyed traveling, especially trips to the Canyons, desert lands, and mountains in the Western US and Canada. John enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and earning a "Master Gardener" degree through Michigan State Extension Service. He had a passion for planting a large number of impatien flats each late spring, and creating colorful and beautifully designed flower beds. He and his wife June found much joy together in working on their yard in a wooded area filled with birds and other wildlife. He was an avid lifetime Detroit Lions fan in spite of their many losses. John was an avid reader of novels his entire life. A visit at KDL was a weekly event. Morning coffee and afternoon tea at Russ' Restaurant on Plainfield Ave. was his weekday routine for many years. It was one of his social happy places. Also, John was a "friend of Bill." Last but not least, John loved a variety of musical styles, from Southern Gospel Quartets to Gaither Vocal Band, Povaratti Classics, Handel’s Messiah, and Calvary Church Sunday Night Hymn Sings.

In retirement John found volunteering in various organizations to be a fulfilling way to spend his free time. He volunteered as an ESL teacher, assisted people at the Grand Rapids Legal Assistance Center, helped with staff development at Degage' Homeless Ministry, volunteered at Northend Community Center, and worked as cashier at Bibles for Missions Thrift Store on Leonard St. John was a regular attender and later a member along with his wife June at Calvary Church on the East Beltline for the past 18 years. During retirement he served at Calvary in the "Friends and Helpers" Ministry.

John was preceded in passing away by his parents, Frank and Anne Rosier of Evergreen Park, IL, brothers-in-law Ben De Vries of Salt Lake City, UT, Donald Hopp of Broadview, Ill, and Brian Hollis of Wycomb, UK. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, June M Rosier; children, John J Rosier and Tony (Julie)Rosier; 3 very special and much loved grandchildren, Kaitlynn (Ridge) Tefft, Brooke (friend Kyle DeGroff), and Lauren Rosier; his sisters Ida Hopp of Broadview, IL, Barb Hollis of Wycomb, UK; Merry (Dennis) McCreary of Seattle, WA; brother-in-law Bill (Marilyn) Ver Meer of Pella, IA ; sisters-in-law Phyl De Vries of Pella, IA , and Gloria (Keith) De Bruin of Oskaloosa, IA and many special nieces and nephews living in IL, IA, CO, and WA.

A funeral service to celebrate John's life will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at 2 PM in the chapel at Calvary Church, 707 E Beltline with Pastor Bruce Huseby officiating. A private graveside service will follow. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, to honor John's life, contributions may be made to Calvary Church Jerusalem Project, East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525, Bibles for Missions Thrift Store, 1054 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504, or Meals on Wheels, 2900 Wilson Ave SW #500, Grandville, MI,49418. To read more about John’s life, to share a memory or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com