John was born to the late John and Eula Mae Siereveld on November 23, 1944 in Dayton, Kentucky. John was one of one of nine children. He came from humble beginnings where you had to be physically stronger than the next to keep from getting hurt. He was very observant and from of the mistreatment of others, he was able to find the strength to be kind.
At the young age of 14, John began dating his childhood sweetheart, Kay Lewis. John had always dreamed of serving his country but knew he would not have been accepted due to his poor heart. John had such drive that, with the help of his friends, he overcame his hurdles and joined the U.S. Army at 17. He was stationed in Germany as a tank mechanic during the Vietnam War ready to serve as an expert M-14 rifleman. Two years later, John came home to Kay and the two joined in holy matrimony on April 3, 1965.
John had two beautiful children, Sonya and Jennifer, and raised them to be intelligent, motivated and capable young women. As he came from nothing, he wanted to improve his life and ultimately create a legacy for his family. He was a firm father, but to those most close to his heart, he was a big softy. His family grew to include grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his fostered dogs.
John shared many joys and strengths with his family such as his love of history, astronomy, organization, dry humor, politics and most importantly, his faith in the Lord. He appreciated the freedoms and opportunities that his country created and instilled a sense of protection of those rights to others. He believed that everyone of age should be registered to vote as is their duty. John was not only someone that others could look up to, but he was also someone that everyone could go to. A listening ear and a solution was always offered to those in need.
John is preceded by his parents, John and Eula Mae Siereveld; brothers, Michael and Jeff Siereveld; and sister, Melody Siereveld. His memory will be cherished by his wife of 54 years, Kay Lewis Siereveld; daughters, Sonya J. Callihan and Jennifer Roose and her husband, James; granddaughter, Courtnie Callihan and her fiancé, Justin Connolley; grandson who was the son he had always wanted, Heath Callihan and his wife, Halie; great-grandchildren, Declan and Stella; brothers, Jimmy and Jerry Siereveld; sisters, Darlene and Jedine Siereveld and Jacequeline Isbell; and his beloved in laws and extended family members.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 27, 2019 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm at Woodstock Funeral Home 8855 Main Street Woodstock, Georgia 30188. Celebration services will follow in the Reese Memorial Chapel with Rev. Martin Hawley of Hope Presbyterian Church officiating. Please prepare a memory or joke John told to share with the family. A procession will be held 1:00 pm on Monday, April 29, 2019 beginning at Woodstock Funeral Home to John’s final resting place at the Georgia National Cemetery. All friends and family are welcome to attend this procession and the committal service at 2:00 pm.
Your choice of flowers or donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in John’s memory.
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