Robert Dejong

Robert DeJong, also known to the men of construction as "RUBE", left this earth at the age of 87, with his family watching over him, at 5:00pm on March 5, 2023, and went to start his new job with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born May 10, 1935, in the Netherlands, to the late Charles and Thelma (Damstra) DeJong. Rube was soft spoken, but lived life as a walking example of a Righteous Godly man. His love for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was overwhelming. Rube was born in the Netherlands, and as a young boy saw the occupation of the Netherlands by the Germans and the liberation by the Americans. He immigrated to the USA and started a career in construction which he never left until retirement and then traveled the country with his wife. His life was full of adventure and challenges. Rube had survived a serious snowmobile accident which left him laid up for months and later in life survived a liver transplant. He was so proud of his scar and thankful to his liver donor, Sean. Rube walked through these challenges in a Godly way. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure a year ago and true to his nature, he never stopped being positive and loving life. Rube is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty (Sterk); five children, Barb (Doug) Schuitema, Bonnie (Joel) VanAntwerpen, Robert (Kathy) DeJong, Salli (Craig) Vugteveen, and Patti (Dave) Sweet; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Andy (Debbie) DeJong; sister, Janet (Jack) Alman; sisters-in-law, Jean DeJong, Jeanette Visser, Donna Sterk, and Reet Sterk; brothers-in-law, Ken Sterk and Jim Schipper; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ivanrest Christian Reformed Church, 3777 Ivanrest Avenue, Grandville, MI 49418, in the west wing. Visitation will continue on Friday, from 10:15 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the west wing of the church and a memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary. "Donate Life" helped him through his life and "Faith Hospice" helped him through his death and because of this, the family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to either of these amazing charities. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Dejong, please visit our flower store.