John Harry Pleune, age 81, was scooped up by God and went home to his precious Savior on December 14, 2025. Born July 1, 1944, to Edwin and Renelda Pleune, he grew up and attended school in Grand Rapids and earned an Associates degree from Ferris State University. John was a remarkable man whose life was characterized by generosity, adventure, great storytelling, and an unwavering belief that the glass was always half full.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Pleune, with whom he shared an enduring love story. Once they met, they became inseparable. John wooed Kathy in unforgettable fashion—once driving a semi-truck into downtown Grand Rapids to pick her up from the bank where she worked. Riding and spending the night in a semi was on Kathy’s bucket list, and John, as always, made it happen.
He is also survived by his brother Philip (Nancy) Pleune, stepsisters Diane (Jim) Vander Geissen, and Sharon Macaulay, by his children John (Gabrielle) Pleune, and Danny Pleune, by his granddaughter Karlee Myers, and nieces and nephews who treasured him deeply.
Fifty-one years ago, John founded Pleune Service Company, a business built not only on excellence but on people. In a move that reflected his generous spirit and belief in others, he later sold the company to his employees through an ESOP, ensuring their shared success. He went on to mentor countless entrepreneurs and emerging leaders, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance rooted in experience and goodness toward people.
Adventure was a shared passion for John and Kathy. Together, they drove their motor home from coast to coast and sailed boats from Canada to Florida and beyond. Their travels aboard their boat, Chicane, were even featured in a documentary—a testament to their adventurous spirits and love of life. Wherever they went, they went together. And they danced!
John and Kathy were also deeply committed to giving back. Their philanthropy supported the arts, conservation efforts, and training of all kinds for women, reflecting their shared belief in opportunity, growth, and leaving the world better than they found it.
If you were fortunate enough to golf with John, you knew he had one unbreakable rule when playing with family and friends: he needed to win by one stroke. The rule was well known and always delivered with a grin.
Above all, John will be remembered as a man who loved deeply and made people feel capable, welcome, and valued. His presence brought warmth, his words brought encouragement, and his life left an enduring mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him.
A time of visitation will be held Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th Street, Holland. In lieu of flowers, Kathy requests that donations be made to Hospice of Holland, Gateway Mission in Holland, Tunnel to Towers or Anna’s Circle, Inc.
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