John was born in the Netherlands on November 25, 1938, to Pieter and Martha (Wierenga) Horsting. He immigrated to the United States in 1957 with his family. John Married Gesine Van Munster in 1959 and raised their three sons in Holland.
John was an active member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, serving as Elder, Deacon, and Cadet Counselor. Throughout his life, he was involved in music. He had a beautiful bass voice and belonged to many vocal organizations. He was a long-time member of the church choir and sang in various singing groups, quartets, and sextets in church. He was a member of the Magnachords, a former charter member of the Holland Chorale, and a former member of His Men. He was always heard singing or whistling around the house. He would never pass up a dessert or a pencil. John enjoyed pencil collecting. At one time he had about forty-five thousand pencils that he displayed on the walls of the garage. He was the president of the National Pencil Collector Society for a number of years.
John loved kids and always carried Smarties in his pocket for them, many called him Grandpa John.
John was a local home builder and home inspector, a member and past president of the local Home Builder’s Association, and a Senior Life Director of the State and National HBA.
He enjoyed working in his workshop, making either trucks or a bus for each one of his sons.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Martha in 1942, his father, Pieter in 1992, his sister, Tineke Cooper, by three brothers, Jerry, Bert, and Peter Horsting, by parents-in-law, Harm and Enne Van Munster, and sister-in-law, Donna Van Munster.
John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gesine; children, Ron and Robin Horsting of Overisel, Rick and Cara Horsting of Saugatuck, Mike Horsting and Scott Fleming of Chicago; 7 grandchildren, Steve and Melinda Wunder, Sandra and Brian Tharp, Nicole and Brad Alvesteffer, Rachelle Horsting, Matt Hough, Heather Horsting, Mason and Kambrea Horsting; 8 great-grandchildren; in-laws; Betty Horsting, John and Emma Van Munster, Harry Van Munster; several nieces and nephews.
John’s family is grateful for the kindness and excellent care he received from Hospice of Holland.
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