John P. Kool, 93, died Friday, April 19.
John served in the U.S. Navy and as an officer for the Michigan State Police, at the Wayland post in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
He was a loyal friend and a hard worker with a servant’s heart. He worked as the custodian of Berean Bible Church for several years. He rarely talked about himself and was more interested in hearing what others had to say.
In his younger years, John enjoyed sailing, gardening, and traveling. More recently he enjoyed pontoon boat rides and spending time with his family.
His wife, Ruth (Velting) Kool, preceded him in death on Dec 25, 2022. John and Ruth were longtime members of Rush Creek Bible Church.
John is survived by his children, John (Brenda) Kool, Debra (David) Engebretsen, James (Pat) Kool, Kenneth (Elisabeth) Kool and Karen (Mark) Edwards; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother, Jay Kool; sister, Wilma VanZanten; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gloria Velting, Pearl (Jack) Hoffius, Phyllis Velting and David (Joan) Velting; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will welcome visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids. John’s funeral will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Rush Creek Bible Church, 2334 76th St. SW, Byron Center, with Pastor Cameron Townley officiating. Interment will be in Grandville Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of John, may be made to the Rush Creek Bible Church Capital Campaign.
John Kool was a Sgt. at MSP, Wayland.