Fred William De Jong, 91, died on October 13, 2023 and is at peace again. Fred was born on October 24, 1931 in Rock Valley, IA to William and Rena (Vanden Bosch) De Jong. Although his mother died when he was a baby and he was an only child, he was lovingly raised by his grandparents, father, foster parents (William and Alice Vugteveen), numerous uncles and aunts, and had plenty of cousins to grow up with. Fred graduated from Western Christian High School on May 25, 1950, where he focused more of his energy on basketball than academics. After a stint in the U.S. Army and some odd jobs, Fred moved to Grand Rapids, MI. There he attended Calvin College and thrived academically - he was a proud graduate and alumni of Calvin College. He met his Joycie - Joyce Judith Ludema - on a blind date in January 1956 and they married on June 24, 1958. Fred loved golfing, "coffee-time" time, going to church, hot coffee and hotter soup, fishing, Joycie's baked goods, woodworking, popcorn, wintering in Sun City, AZ and playing cards and games with family and friends. More importantly, Fred loved the Lord and the family he and Joyce created: four children and their spouses (Mike and Carole De Jong, Beth and Larry Osterbaan, David and Pat De Jong, Julie and Beowulf Boswell), nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren (with two more on the way!). Fred's fondest memories were spending time with his family and friends at the Emerald Lake and Lake Michigan cottages.

At the encouragement of his family, Fred wrote a 100 page, typed memoir titled Blessings in My Day and a sequel titled More Blessing in My Day. These titles reflect what it was like to know Fred: to know that he continually felt blessed with the life he lived, and that you were a blessing to his life.

Given his age at death, Fred has been preceded by countless family and friends, who are enjoying him in heaven. Those of us here on earth, including his Joycie, are blessed to have had a sweet, kind, loving man be a part of our lives.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday October 16, 2023 at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. A memorial service will be Tuesday October 17, 2023 at 12:00 pm at the Holland Home Breton Ridge Chapel, 2772 Pfeiffer Woods Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.

Memorial contributions may be made to Resonate Global Mission, 1700 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-9915, which continues to support God's mission around the world. Fred and Joyce served in Nigeria from 1971-1974 as CRWRC treasurer.