John Vander Schaaf went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 7, 2011.  His family dearly loved him.  He will be remembered for his example of a godly husband and dad, his love for the Lord, and his love of fun and laughter.  John was born on January 22, 1926 in Toppenhuizen, Friesland to Cora and Earl Vander Schaaf.  

He and his parents immigrated to America just before john was 2 years old.  He grew up in southern California in the Artesia area.  John went to Excelsior High and Compton College.  He married his long time sweetheart, Henrietta Verhoeven on January 29, 1947.  They enjoyed almost 64 years of marriage.  The Lord blessed them with six children, 26 grandchildren, and 30 great-great grandchildren.  John was a dairyman for more than 60 years.  He and his family first had a dairy in Artesia/Bellflower area.  They moved to Chino, CA in 1964 and then to Ripon in 1990.

John is survived by his wife, Henrietta, children Corrine Koolhaas (ken), Sheri Heida, Bev Woltjer (Larry), Johnny (Susan), and Joni VanGroningen (Marv), son-in-law Bill Dotinga, sister Audrey Lanting, brother Earl Vander Schaaf, 25 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren.  His daughter Thelene Dotinga, son-in-law Jim Heida, grandson John William Vander Schaaf, sister Flory Herrema and great-grandson Dylan Selby precede him in death.

A time of visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel from 5 to 7 p.m.  His graveside service will be on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Burwood Cemetery in Escalon at 9:30 a.m., with his Celebration of Life service following at Zion United Reformed Church in Ripon at 11 a.m.

Remembrances can be made to Ripon Christian Schools, 435 Maple Ave., Ripon CA 95366 or to Providence Christian College, 1539 E. Howard St., Pasadena, CA 91104.  There is an online guestbook available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com