John is and was a very special friend and church member at
NCCWM  . Iv'e had ther pleasure of ,sitting in many bible 
studies with john as well as church mens lunches with John.
we discussed bible verses ,life in general as well as golf.
I will miss him as we did in mens wednesday bible study
today. He is with the LORD tonight in glory forever.my blessing to
Johns wife Marian and family.

Dad came to the Pacific Northwest for weddings. He attended Dan/Mary’s, Shirley/Bob’s, Jason’s, Liz/Jeff’s, Allison/Troy (maybe more?) plus he came out with Nancy twice. One time he helped build a deck for our pool. Another time he chipped his tooth and admitted he was too cheap to go to a dentist so he borrowed an old file and sat at the kitchen table filing it smooth. When he visited he enjoyed the grandkids. (14 total) 

Us PNW siblings also visited with him and Marian several times during the years. My favorite memory of a Michigan reunion was at Aunt Thelma’s retirement place in Hudsonville. My mom attended as well as dad/Marian- I was a little worried about that situation as I don’t think my mother had ever spoken with Marian before. But it went wonderful!! Mom was interested in “her girls” ( Janet wasn’t there but Nancy was) and both of John’s wives talked and were very friendly to each other. It wss was a perfect example of “water under the bridge”. 

I guess we all have choices- to forgive or to be resentful. What a waste resentments are. We loved dad and enjoyed him very much. I’ll miss him. I’ll visit with him again in heaven.

My earliest memory of Grandpa John was watching football on Sunday afternoon. Then, skip ahead to him making me a traditional Grand Rapids Sunday afternoon lunch during college. Then, most major events out here on the West Coast including weddings, etc. He had an easy laugh, a quick smile, and a rapscallion like wit about him. 

Grandpa John will be missed and remembered by all who knew him.

A great round with Uncle  John back in 2017 when he really wanted to play a round at our course.  Lots of fun

Many memories of my dad while growing up but usually it was at aunt Thelma and Win’s house visiting and dad would be there. We loved going there and often stayed with aunt Thelma and cousin Tim Orme and aunt Win. Dad and Thelma came out for our daughter Elizabeth’s wedding. We all crowded into a small cottage and it rained and rained that week, but on Saturday the sun came out and dad lite a cigar and thought it was beautiful and posed for a picture. Without dad’s sisters love our childhood would have been very different. We are so blessed to have a Christian family and for passing this love on to our children and grandchildren.  Sally Vandervlies dad’s oldest

Dad is gone but our memories live on forever.  Dad visited his “first family “ in the Pacific Northwest (Washington/Oregon) often and we welcomed both dad and Marian to our home. My favorite memory is when my son, Geoffrey, graduated from college in Idaho. Dad insisted that we rent a fast, turbo powered car for the 500+ mile trip. I drove and dad was cheering me on with “speed up, drive faster Shirley girl!” I called it our “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. “

Dad visits his three sisters, Winifred, Dena and Thelma. His sisters were wonderful loving women. Thelma and Winifred took on the role of loving aunties to his children.

John is a first time dad at 22 with his twin daughters Sally and Shirley. Photo taken at the home of his dad, Jasper Koole, on Batavia Street in Grand Rapids. Two years later he welcomed daughter Mary Ellen and six years later his son, Daniel John.

Dad and Marion visit Dad’s “first family” who have been living in the Pacific Northwest for 40 years.

Watching my dad painting pictures with painting knives... He would take an old torn up chair that was in the house and repost it like brand new until once again it got to the point where we tore it up again.. it was always building something or refinishing a table or that desk the desk was there when I was born thanks Dad I love that desk used to have a phone on it had the sewing machines on it the old black typewriter my mom had.. doing my homework on it from school sometimes if there wasn't a lot of on it.... He was always teaching me things that a girl can be a tomboy that I am... When I was about 13 or 14 it was time for me to learn to mow the lawn  always had to wear boots and long pants.. I remember leaving Toys out on the stairs or under the desk and I come back few hours later they were gone a couple weeks later he'd give me gifts the toys that I had left out we're now gifts couple times he waited until birthday or holidays to give them back.. there are so many memories ..   I love 💞 my DAD..

OBITUARY

John Koole

June 5, 1927 – November 12, 2025

Reyers North Valley Chapel

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