John Adrian Houseward (1923-2001) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

John Adrian Houseward was born in Clifton, New Jersey on August 19, 1923. In 1942, Houseward joined the US Air Force for three years. It was during his service in the military that Houseward gained spiritual reflection, especially after a service friend died in active duty. Another service friend suggested that he enroll at Calvin College, which he did, and graduated in 1948. Also in 1948, Houseward married Gertrude Buikema. Houseward continued his studies at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduating in 1951.

For the next two years, Houseward taught at Eastern Academy as the Instructor of Bible in Paterson, New Jersey. Houseward entered Calvin Seminary and was ordained in 1955. His first call to serve was from the Maple Heights congregation in Cleveland Ohio. Houseward went on to serve the church communities of Terra Haute, Indiana (1961) and Holland, Michigan (1967). In 1978, the Houseward family moved to Australia to serve the Reformed Church of Toowoomba. Lastly, Houseward was appointed pastor of Austinville, Iowa in 1984, which he served until his retirement in 1988.

Houseward served on the World Missions Board as well as the Handicapped Catechism Board in Holland, Michigan and the Clergy Association in Toowoomba, Australia. Even after his retirement, Houseward continued to serve his community as a volunteer in ministry and pastoral visiting. On November 29, 2001 Houseward passed away from prostate cancer in Zeeland, Michigan. His wife and children survived him: Timothy, Joanne and Evalynn. His son, Jonathan, preceded him in death at the age of 37.