De Jong, John Doedes (1902-1975) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

John Doedes De Jong was born in Hallum, Friesland, Netherlands on August 30, 1902.  In 1925 De Jong immigrated to the United States. In September of 1929 he graduated from the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Also in September of 1929, he married Marguerite De Vries. Together they had four children-Donald Warren, John David, Eunice Marie, and Marian Jane. He served the Protestant Reformed church communities of Doon, Iowa; Hudsonville, Michigan; Creston, Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Hull, Iowa.

Concerned over doctrinal and ecclesiastical tendencies in the Protestant Reformed Church, De Jong became a minister of the Christian Reformed Church in 1961.  De Jong went on to serve the Christian Reformed Church communities of Hull, Iowa and Lynden, Washington. De Jong retired in 1968. De Jong‘s passing was caused by a massive heart attack on August 20, 1975. He was survived by his wife, four children, and fifteen grandchildren.