Cornelius John De Jong was born in Cicero, Illinois, on January 12, 1931, and passed away peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on September 28, 2012. He is survived by his children Carol (Ron) Kunnen of Delhi, Glenn (Marilyn) De Jong of Ripon, Larry (Antine) De Jong of Ripon; grandchildren Christa (Steve) Owens of Turlock, Bryan (Katie) Kunnen of San Jose, Amber Kunnen of Delhi, Chad (Jennifer) De Jong of Manteca, Sean De Jong of Ripon, Andrea (Ryan) Clark of Kingsburg, Matthew (Kelly) De Jong of Reno, Nevada, Brianna De Jong of Ripon, and three great grandchildren, siblings Nell (Maurice) Veenstra of Lynden, Washington, and Alice Hilvers of Ripon. He was preceded in death by his wife Bertha, and sister Wilhelmina.

Music was a big part of Core’s life. He started piano lessons at 5 years old and at age 12 he began organ lessons. At age 14, he began playing for church services at the First Christian Reformed Church in Ripon.  During his 66 years as an organist, he played at the Stockton Gospel Mission, the state hospital in Stockton, services at the farm worker camps, the Bethany Convalescent Home, Beth Haven, various singing groups and numerous weddings and funerals.
He attended Ripon Christian School, leaving after the eighth grade to work. In 1950 he married Bertha Schaapman and in 1955 they moved to Austin Road with their cows. For a while he hauled hay on the side, and in 1960 started hauling fertilizer. Shortly after that he retired from the dairy business, started his own trucking business, and eventually planted almond trees.  He drove truck until 2008.

He was a lifetime member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, serving as an organist for 66 years and also serving on the consistory.

He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family and friends, especially to his grandchildren, and for his faithful service to his church. His music was always for God’s glory and  he will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be held at Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Ripon Cemetery on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at the First Christian Reformed Church at 11:00 a.m.

In loving memory of Core, donations can be made to Ripon Christian Schools, 435 Maple Ave., Ripon, CA 95366 or Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356. Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel is in charge of services. For condolences to the family please visit our website at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday. October  2, 2012