John L. Gabrielse
John L. Gabrielse, 88, of 625 Minnesota Ave., Oostburg, died on Friday morning, Aug. 28, 2009, at the Sharon Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls.
John was born on May 25, 1921, in Greenbush, the son of the late Leonard and Cora (DeGeus) Gabrielse. He attended school at Ourtown School and Sheboygan Christian School.
On Aug. 11, 1948, he married LaVerne Meerdink in Oostburg.
John was employed as a construction foreman for Gabe’s Construction for 39 years until his retirement in 1983. John owned and operated a dairy farm in the town of Wilson with his brother, Peter, for about 25 years.
John was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Oostburg where he served as a deacon and elder and was active with numerous mission projects. He served on the Oostburg Christian School Board and the Sheboygan County Christian High School Board. John also enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, restoring old tractors, woodworking projects, and camping.
Survivors include his wife, LaVerne; one daughter, Joan (Phil) Ramaker of Oostburg; three sons, Gary (Bev) Gabrielse, Jeffrey (Kristine) Gabrielse, and Dan (Nancy) Gabrielse, all of Oostburg; 10 grandchildren, Andy (Kim) Ramaker, Sara Ramaker, Gina (Dave) Huibregtse, Kami (Jon) VanEss, Tony (Jen), Amanda, and Alyssa Gabrielse, Jessica, Joshua, and Jonathan Gabrielse; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marge Gabrielse of Sheboygan and Carol (Harlan) Roerdink of Oostburg; three brothers, Peter (Judy) Gabrielse of Sheboygan Falls, Cornelius (Mary) Gabrielse of Sheboygan and Dave (Helen) Gabrielse of Oostburg; two sistersin law, Loretta Gabrielse of Sheboygan, and Barbara Gabrielse of Sheboygan Falls.
John was also preceded in death by four sisters, Betty (John) Kremm, Kathy (Anthony) VandeVrede, Cornelia (Jerry) VanderPuy, and infant Joanne Gabrielse; two brothers, William and Leonard Gabrielse.
Funeral services were held on Monday morning, Aug. 31 at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oostburg with the Rev. Dr. Les Kuiper officiating. Burial and military honors followed at Oostburg Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established in John’s name for the First Christian Reformed Church Library. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (564-2771) is serving the Gabrielse family. Online condolences may be sent to www.wenigfuneralhome.com.
