Jan Jacob Schilthuis

His parents were Jan Jacob Schilthuis and Maria Hoevers Schilthuis, who had emigrated from the Netherlands in 1928 in order for Jan Jacob Sr to be Director of Processes at the new American Enka Corp manufacturing facility in Enka NC.

Jack had one sister, Ida Schilthuis Merfa, who predeceased him in death (2007).

Jack graduated from the Asheville School for Boys in 1949, Washington & Lee University in 1953, and Rutgers University (MBA) in 1957. He married Martha Roesch Foutch on June 19, 1954. After a 9-year business career (personnel/labor relations), Jack attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating with an MDiv in 1965 and a ThM in 1969. He served Alexandria First Presbyterian Church in Mt Pleasant, NJ; First Presbyterian Church in Salem, NJ; Memorial Park Presbyterian Church in Allison Park, PA; and First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs. In retirement, he and Martha moved to Richmond, VA, to be near their daughter and her family, where Jack served as Parish Associate at Third Church.

He celebrated his 70th birthday in the year 2000 by riding his bicycle 2000 miles from Florida to Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Martha, of 63 years; sons John Schilthuis (Bev), Jim Schilthuis (Gwen), and daughter Susan Gayner (Tom); grandchildren Anne Marie Niehaus (Kurt), Andrew Schilthuis (Crystal), Peter Schilthuis (Alana), Matt Schilthuis (Sarah), Amy Molina (Jean Carlo), Mark Schilthuis (Emmy), Michael Schilthuis (Hannah), Mary Virginia Overholser (Greg), Sarah Ann Van Gilst (Gerrit), Jack Gayner (fiancé Catherine), two step granddaughters, Kate and Leigh Boggs, and 5 great-grandchildren.

He loved the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength and trusted in the world to come.

A memorial service to celebrate Jack's life will be held on Sunday, October 8th at 2:00 PM at Third Church on Forest Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Third Church (600 Forest Avenue, Richmond, VA 23229) or Elijah House Academy (6627-B Jahnke Rd, Richmond,VA 23225) for establishment of a scholarship in Jack's name of Woody Funeral Home-Parham, Richmond, VA.