John Van Laar, age 91, went to be with his Lord Saturday, Dec. 9. He was preceded in death by his parents Lambertus and Sadie (Boermans) Van Laar, grandson Brian Brockette, sister Myrtle Van Laar, and wife Barbara (Hoeksema). He will be lovingly remembered by his children Jim Van Laar, Joan Brockette, David (Keri) Van Laar, Dan (Julie) Van Laar, and their mother Cheryl Dalton; daughter Lynn (Jerry) Sytsma; 15 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Jan (Hopkins) Hoeksema, nephew Matt (Lynn) Hoeksema, niece Jennifer (Erik) Cliff, and special companion Marian Baker. John was born in Holland, MI (June 14, 1932). As a pastor's child, he moved to both Whitinsville, Massachusetts and Kalamazoo, Michigan where he graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1950. He attended Calvin University for a semester, but soon joined the Air Force and discovered his love for flying and all things mechanical. After his service with the USAF and waiting to begin his job as a commercial pilot with United, John took a temporary position as a private pilot for the bakery manufacturing company, Werner Lehara in Grand Rapids, MI. Through his months of flying with the owner, John learned the ins and outs of the bakery manufacturing industry and discovered he had a talent for business, working with people, and making the deal. John remained with Werner Lehara (later APV Baker and now Baker Perkins) for 41 years, eventually becoming president and CEO. After "retiring" in 1998, John began his own company where he worked as a consultant in the bakery engineering industry well into his eighties. John lived a life full of gratitude to God for what he considered "an extraordinary life of an ordinary guy". Having a sharp mind up until his death, he loved telling stories ranging from his childhood friendships to his business deals and even wrote an autobiography titled "My First 80 Years". His love for boating even up through this summer led to many enjoyable days with family and friends out on the beautiful lakes of Michigan. John was a member of numerous boards and committees which came from his love for Jesus and people. He served on the Kent County Aeronautics board for 36 years up until 2010 with 13 years as Chairman, served on the Chaplain Services board of west Michigan, and was an elder, deacon, and member for over 65 years at Calvin Christian Reformed Church. In his final years John took great joy in attending Tuesday morning Bible study, his Wednesday lunch with buddies at Russ', coffee with friends on Friday, and Saturday morning breakfasts with his family. A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, December 21, at Cascade Fellowship CRC, 6655 Cascade Rd. SE, with a 1 hour visitation beginning at 10 am and service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to World Renew or the Calvin Christian Reformed Church Family Assistance Program.