Dr. John A. Mulder's Obituary
Dr. John Adrian Mulder, a devoted husband, loving father, revered physician, and cherished friend, died peacefully at Vanderbilt Hospital after a short bout of pneumonia on May 1, 2025.
John was born in Pontiac, MI to Rev. Dr. John and Lydia Mulder on September 12, 1952. As John’s family followed his father’s service to the Methodist Church, they lived in Pontiac, Detroit, Saginaw, Royal Oak, and Dearborn.
John graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School, Western Michigan University, and Wayne State Medical School.
Dr. Mulder began his career as a Family Practice Physician at Harborwood Family Medicine in Muskegon, MI. He was honored to have delivered hundreds of babies and cared for a multitude of families. It was during this time of his career, that he first became involved in Hospice by working with Harbor Hospice in Muskegon. John was then led to Nashville, TN to become the medical director for Alive Hospice and work at Vanderbilt University Hospital. In 2006, John returned to West Michigan to join Holland Home - primarily at Faith Hospice, also establishing Trillium Palliative Services and Trillium Institute. His professional expertise served all the area hospitals in Grand Rapids in various roles including establishing Palliative Care programs and chairing Ethics Committees. He continued to work (though it wasn’t work to John, it was his passion) up until he was admitted to the hospital on April 26. Even in his final days, he counseled and encouraged his Palliative Care team at Vanderbilt Hospital.
Instilled with a deep sense of purpose and compassion, John dedicated his life to the service of others through medicine, ministry, music, and mentorship. A pioneer in the field of palliative care, Dr. Mulder was known not only for his clinical excellence, but also for his uncommon grace and empathy. He was a guiding light for thousands of patients and families as they navigated the most vulnerable moments of life.
Dr. Mulder’s impact extended far beyond the exam room. As a teacher, international speaker, and thought leader, he helped shape national conversations around end-of-life care. His leadership and mentorship at organizations including - Faith Hospice, Trillium Institute, Michigan State University School of Human Medicine, Director of the Hospice and Palliative Care Fellowship Program, and multiple National Associations - influenced generations of caregivers and clinicians.
As former Chairman of the Board for International Aid, John traveled extensively throughout the world providing hands on care for the needy, lifting the spirits of the disenfranchised, medical relief, and development activities in numerous countries including China, Kenya, Somalia, Russia, and Romania where his family was led to adopt his youngest daughter.
A gifted musician, vocalist, and songwriter, John recorded several albums in Nashville over the years. We are grateful these recordings live on to encourage, comfort, and entertain long into the future. Ever a faithful servant, John used his many talents to uplift others - whether through a quiet bedside song, a Sunday worship service at his much loved Ferrysburg Community Church, numerous benefit concerts, contributing at singer/songwriter workshops, and at eleven legendary house concerts along the Grand River. John’s talent for photography garnered awards and the gratitude of many who received his photographs. He enjoyed taking photos of nature, adventures with family and friends, but most of all, he was thrilled to take pictures of his treasured children and precious grandchildren in all their activities and seasons of life.
John’s career spanned the circle of life - from joyfully delivering babies to masterfully caring for those at the end of their life. John also experienced another profound circle of life by receiving a lung transplant in 2017. In his death, the circle is complete as he continues to help others by donating to Gift of Life while also benefiting medical research.
His gentle approach, immeasurable kindness, steadfast integrity, and unwavering faith made him a pillar in both professional and personal communities.
Dr. Mulder’s life was a testament to love, healing, hope, and joy. To quote John, “Joy Wins!” John’s joy is eternal as he is singing with all the saints and angels in the heavenly chorus praising his Lord and Savior. John’s loving family, treasured friends, respected colleagues, and fellow musicians will grieve his death while having been touched by his life.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Lisa, and their children: Julie and Scott Witte (Joel, Megan, Allie), Matt Mulder (Ethan, Fiona), Mark and Julie Mulder (Adrian, Ryla), Emilia and Justin Perry (Scout, Naomi), Ben and Hannah Rosema (AJ, Benny, Cole), JD and Lauren Rosema (Rhodes, fourteenth grandchild due in October), Daniel Rosema and Tara Roeder, and Asa Rosema. John is also survived by his siblings - Marilyn and Renard Kolasa, David and Pat Mulder, Carol and David Kelley, Martha Mulder, Linda Carver, Steve Workman and Kim Schmidt, Lori and Ken Batts, and his thirty-two nieces and nephews. John is survived by the mother of his children, Judy. John was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Alan and Margaret Workman, and his brother-in-law Dean Workman.
A service to celebrate John’s life will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, May 18, 2025 at the Ferrysburg Community Church - 17785 Mohawk Dr, Spring Lake, MI 49456. Visitation will be held 3:00 PM – 6 PM Saturday, May 17, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Faith Hospice. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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