John Vander Stelt, Jr.

John Vander Stelt, Jr., 80, of Maurice, IA, died Thursday, November 5, 2015, at Unity Point St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City. A visitation will be held on Sunday from 3-7PM, with the family present from 3-5PM at the Maurice First Reformed Church of Maurice, IA. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 1:30PM at the Maurice First Reformed Church of Maurice with Rev. Gary Hegstad and Rev. Don DeKok officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Sherman Township Cemetery of rural Maurice. The Vander Stelt family prefers memorials to the Maurice Fire Department. John Vander Stelt, Jr. was born June 21, 1935 to John and Cornelia (Van Donkelaar) Vander Stelt in Sioux Center, Iowa. His early childhood was spent in Sioux Center, but the family moved to Maurice in 1948. His love and devotion to the community of Maurice remained for the rest of his life. On August 19, 1958, he married Wilma Renes in Carmel, Iowa. After getting married, John proudly served his country in the US Army in Germany from 1958-60. John returned from the service to work with his father in the family business. He owned and operated John's Upholstering for the next 50+ years. He was a master at his trade and was known for his ability to make nearly anything. John served with pride on the Maurice Volunteer Fire Dept. for 53 years and served as the fire chief for 45 years. During his service the department saw improvements to equipment and facilities while responding to countless fires and emergencies in and around the town of Maurice. He also served as the city Marshall for many years. John was a member of the First Reformed Church of Maurice. He enjoyed spending time visiting with his family, sitting on his bench in front of the shop and helping with and supervising family and community projects. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wilma of Maurice; four children: John E. (Denise) Vander Stelt of Maurice, Mike (Audrey) Vander Stelt of Maurice, Bonnie Wolf of Maurice and Bruce (Kristina) Vander Stelt of Orange City. Also 17 grandchildren: Andy, Becky, Michael, Laura, Bryce, Erin, Zackaria, Maggie, Elijah and his fiancé, Brittney, Sam and his fiancé, Rachael, Joe, Amanda, Alyssa, Jack and Ashlyn; and 2 great grandchildren: Henry and Rose. A brother, Gerrit (Tracy) Vander Stelt of Lynden, WA; sister, Johanna (Gerrit) Hielkema of Sibley, IA; sisters: Dorothy VanDer Weide and Betty Lou (Rod) VanDer Weide both of Maurice, IA; sister-in-laws: Jane Renes of Lakewood, CA, Harriet (Elmer) Moss of West Union, IA, Geri Martini of Tempe, AZ, Janet Renes of Sioux Center, IA, Joan Albertson of Colorado Springs, CO, Jan (Terry) Foels of Mesa, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jake and Geraldine Renes; a brother, Cornelius; brothers-in-law: Duane VanDer Weide, Jake Burghgraef, Henry Renes, Sam Renes, John Renes, Phil Martini, Jim Albertson; sisters-in-law: Mina Renes and Dorothy Vander Stelt.