Mr. John Vrieze, age 92, of Alton, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at the Orange City Area Health System Long Term Care Facility.

There will be a memorial service on Friday, November 13, at 11:00am, at the Alton Reformed Church. The Rev. Michael Hardeman will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Nassau Township Cemetery, near Alton. There will be a prayer service on Friday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Visitation will be after 3:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, at the funeral home.

John William was born on August 29, 1917, in rural Alton, the son of Joseph and Patronella “Nellie” (Aberson) Vrieze. He was raised at Alton, where as a young man, he worked for area farmers. Later, he sold Nutrina Feeds at the Alton Feed Store. He then served in the United States Army for 4 ˝ years during World War II, stationed mostly in France and England.

On September 17, 1948, he married Susan De Weerd in Orange City. They made their home in Alton, where he first operated the Alton Shoe Store. They then moved to Emmetsburg, where he sold Watkins Products for a year. He then began a 25 year career with Sioux County, the last three years of which he was foreman at the Alton shop. Later, he helped his wife manage the Alton Laundromat.

In November of 2001, they moved to the Pioneer Memorial Home in Orange City, and in May of 2004, they transferred to the Long Term Care Facility. Sue passed away on April 28, 2008, in Orange City, after almost sixty years of marriage.

Mr. Vrieze was a member of the Alton Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory. He also belonged to the Floyd American Legion Post in Alton. He enjoyed woodworking, making many toys, bowling, and playing pool.

He was a compassionate and caring friend, who always had a smile and a handshake. His dry sense of humor allowed him to see the bright side of life. He was a loving husband and father, who lived for his family.

He will be greatly missed by his daughter and her husband, Jolene and Kenneth Ekema, of Everson, Washington; three grandchildren, Kristin, and her husband, Lindsey Hoekstra, of Lynden, Washington; Kyle Ekema, and his wife, Swandel, of Everson; and Kaitlyn Ekema, of Everson, and her fiancé, Joshua Trefethen, of Bellingham, Washington; two great-grandchildren, Jessica and Shaun Hoekstra; a sister-in-law, Christina De Haan, of Orange City; and nephews and nieces.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Blalock and JoAnn Kessler.

Memorials may be directed to the Alton Reformed Church and the Gideons.