John Rietsma Jr., 96, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026.
John was born August 30, 1929, in Holland, Michigan, to John Sr. and Agnes (Vander Woude) Rietsma. He graduated from Holland High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1953. He married Doris Westveld on April 15, 1955. They raised their four children in Zeeland and were members of First Christian Reformed Church. John worked as a tool and die maker at Hart & Cooley until his retirement. He was preceded in death by his daughter Deb VandenBosch in 2018.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris, their children: Mike and Robin Rietsma, Tim and Jody Rietsma, Carrie VanDerKolk, son-in-law Daryl VandenBosch: grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brandon VandenBosch (Charlotte, Elijah), Darcey and Rod Weber (Adria, Katelyn), Drew and Tracy VandenBosch (Lucas, Hailey), Angie and Kyle Walters (Emily), Mitch and Kristina Rietsma (Kelley), Tanya and Greg Van Dyke (Natalie, Zoey), Troy Rietsma (Phoebe, Barrett), Silas VanDerKolk, Abbie VanDerKolk; and many extended family members.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland MI 49464. Visitation will be 1:00-1:45 pm, Saturday, prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the National MS Society.
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