Rev. John Rop's Obituary
Rev. John Rop, Jr., age 72, went to be with his Lord and Savior., following a 23-year battle with his genetic liver disease. He was the youngest of seven children, born July 14, 1950, in Muskegon, to John and Nellie (Vanderwel) Rop. He was a 1968 graduate of Muskegon High School. Following graduation, John proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War; and then attended Grand Valley State University, receiving his undergraduate degree in Sociology and Psychology. John then spent 15 years in manufacturing and the furniture industries. At this point in his career, he felt, for the second time, the call and pull into ministry; and enrolled at Calvin Seminary. He graduated at the top of his class, in 1995, at the age of 45. Pastor John was ordained as a Minister of the Word of the Christian Reformed Church on September 26, 1995; and accepted a call to Highland CRC, in Marion, MI, where he served until 1998. His second call was to Phoenix CRC, Phoenix, AZ where he served until 2004. His third and final church was Calvin Church, which he referred to as “his church”, of Norton Shores, MI, where he served until retiring in 2015. In retirement, he continued his love of woodworking, making furniture and reading.
On March 29, 1973, he married the love of his life, the former Ellen Boomsma; and she survives him along with their two children, John and Misty Rop, III, of Byron Center, MI and Ami and Gary “Zeke” Dziekan of Washington D.C.; 10 grandchildren, Vanessa, Alex (Kara), Brandon, Addison, Cody, Gabriel, Peter, Isaiah, Daylah and Mark; 2 sisters, Retha (Axel) Johnson and Julie Ruster; brothers-in-laws, Roger (Yvonne) Boomsma, Larry Boomsma, Rev. David (Barbro) Boomsma, and Doug (Shelli) Boomsma.
John was preceded in death by his parents; 4 siblings, Fran (Harold) Soper, Sandra (Jim) Cook, Jack (Evelyn) and Hugh (Joan) Rop; his father and mother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law.
Visitation with the family will be at 3PM Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Calvin Church, 973 W Norton Ave, Norton Shores, MI 49441 with a Celebration of Life held 4 PM Sunday with the Rev. David Boomsma, officiating. For a more lasting memorial, you are asked to consider Hearts and Hands or the Household Pantry Ministry both at Calvin Church.
Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100
To view Pastor John's Celebration of Life online, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/@calvinchurch7541/streams
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