John Wisse

John Peter Wisse was a kind and loving man. He found humor in nearly every situation, and with a kind word or silly face, he could always make you smile.

Born Jan Pieter Wisse in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, on December 5, 1922 to Jan Wisse and Elene Goote Wisse, he was a twin and one of eight children. During WWII, John assisted "The Underground" in the Netherlands, making counterfeit papers. After the war, he volunteered to find and diffuse land mines. Out of the twelve men in his civilian group, only he and one other man survived. In 1949, John moved to the United States.

It was on a blind date in 1951 that John met Grace Huizenga, and the two were married on his birthday a year later. John and Grace made their home in Grand Rapids and had two children: Gerald John and Elaine Marie. In addition to being a devoted family man, John was a man of God. He was baptized on March 25th, 1962, at Highland Hills Baptist Church where he used his talents to maintain the sound system for years. He believed the Bible to be the truth, and every night after dinner he would read a chapter to his family. John worked hard to provide for his family, retiring from Rowe International.

Throughout his life John was one to keep busy. As a creative and talented man, he enjoyed drawing with colored pencils. John’s gifts also extended to his keen sense of sound as he could hear a song and play it by ear on the organ that he built himself. In his spare time, he could often be found in his workshop repairing radios, tinkering with electronics, or making things out of wood. John was an animal lover who had a way with animals as they quickly warmed up to him. His pets through the years included dogs, cats, rabbits, and a bird, but he was especially fond of rabbits. John and Grace loved traveling and often took grandchildren with them. He particularly liked camping and also enjoyed fishing.

In 1988, John and his wife moved to Sanibel Island, eventually settling in Fort Myers, Florida. This was a great fit as he loved the beach whether he was reading or just taking it all in. While in Florida, he used his talents to help neighbors and friends, and although he was not one to make the first step to talk with a stranger, once the ice was broken, he was easy to befriend. When it came to relaxing, John enjoyed a good spy or war story whether in a book or on television.

John was truly a unique man. He had a wonderful sense of humor - even to the end. Sometimes it was hard to get him to be serious as he could be comical and liked to make people laugh. He had quite a sweet tooth, having ice cream every night, but he really liked anything sweet. Throughout his life John had a strong Dutch accent.

Sadly, Grace passed away in 2009 while visiting in Michigan. John then moved back to Michigan where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law briefly before moving to Van Andel Pavilion of Holland Home where he received compassionate care through the next several years. It was there that he passed away on April 29, 2015, with his son, daughter and son-in-law by his side. John will be remembered as a fun and tender-hearted man, loving and a gentleman in every way.

John Peter Wisse was preceded in death by his wife Grace, and by his grandson, Michael John Elzinga. John is survived by his children Gerald and Denise Wisse of Seminole FL., Elaine and John Beyer of Walker; grandchildren, Jodi and Shane Pym, Jennifer Wisse, Gerald Wisse, Jr. and Garrett Beyer; great grandchildren, Sydney Grace, Aidan Michael and Amelia Bryce Pym, and Harper Grace Pierson; brother, Pieter Wisse, sisters-in-law Gertrude Huizinga and Ena Wisse, all of the Netherlands, and sister-in-law Margaret Feenstra of Walker, as well as several nieces and nephews. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 12:30 PM at the Chapel of Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE where friends may visit with his family from 11:30 AM until the service. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Calvary Church for the Prayer Garden are appreciated. To read more about John's life, to share a memory or to sign his guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com.