John De Roon

Rock Valley, IA: John P. De Roon, 80, of Rock Valley, Iowa, finished the race set before him and went to be with his Savior on Sunday, July 6, 2025. A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 12, at 9:30 AM at the First Christian Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Matthew Haan officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.christianworldmedia.com/livechannel/firstcrcrv. Burial with military rites will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation with the family present will be held Friday, July 11, from 5:00-7:00 PM at First CRC.

   John P. De Roon was born the youngest son of Peter and Lena (De Kam) De Roon on March 26, 1945. Tragedy struck early in John’s life when his father was killed in a truck/train accident a month before his 3rd birthday.

   John attended Rock Valley Christian Grade School and Western Christian High School long enough to learn everything he needed to know. After that he went to work for Bert Van Kekerix as a farmhand. The Van Kekerix Family became like a second family to John.

   In September 1965 John was drafted into the United States Army. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was then stationed in Germany with the 85th Transport Company as a bus driver for 18 months. Upon his return from the service, John trucked for A.J. Haverhals Trucking and started farming north of Lebanon, on one of the family farms.

   On April 17, 1968, he married Carol De Jager at the Maurice Reformed Church. Together they farmed and raised their family. In the fall of 2019, they moved to Rock Valley. After moving to town, John was a dedicated volunteer at Justice For All, baling clothes. When that job became too strenuous for him, he volunteered at Hope Haven, assembling parts for wheelchairs.

   On John’s days off from farming, he also worked sale days at Tri-State Livestock Auction in Sioux Center. At first as a yardman and later as weigh master on the block. In 1990 he established J&P Trucking with his son, Paul. They hauled everything and went everywhere until they had established themselves as Isowean transportation specialists.

   The highlight of John’s life was the 20 plus years he and Carol took all of their grandchildren camping for a week at Lake Pahoja. The stories and fun memories were talked about until the next year. There is an ongoing conversation about just how many fishing poles and anchors are at the bottom of Lake Pahoja.

   John was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley and served as a Cadet Counselor, Catechism Teacher, Men’s Bible Study Leader, and Elder. He also served on the board of Rock Valley Christian School.

   John loved the Lord and knew he was saved by grace alone. He loved his family dearly and prayed for them every day.

   Those holding his memories dear are his wife of 57 years, Carol; 4 children, Paul (Cheryl) De Roon, Carla (Pat) Bierne, Karen (Rob) Jansen, and Lisa (Justin) De Wit; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Clarence De Roon; sister, Nellie Tilstra; and Carol’s siblings, Elaine Roetman, and Marlene (Ron) De Jager.

   John was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Lena; parents-in-law, Rhodus and Henrietta De Jager; great-granddaughter, Wrenlee Hope DeWit; sister, Jennie (Wayne) Van Wyhe; brother-in-law, Rodney Tilstra; sister-in-law, Esther De Roon; and Carol’s siblings, Joyce (Ed) Kroeze, Duane (Goldie) De Jager, and Dave Roetman.