John DeYoung

P. John DeYoung, 93

P. John DeYoung, 93, of West Lafayette, died Friday, March 29, 2013, at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus. He was born in Lafayette on March 21, 1920 to the late Dick and Margaret (Hanstra) DeYoung. On August 12, 1943 he married Dorcas Dexter in Miami, FL and she survives him.

John and Dorcas have three sons: David L. (wife Susan), James A. and Mark E. (wife Jill ), five grandchildren: Brody DeYoung, Colby DeYoung, Star Plantenga, Clay DeYoung and Evan DeYoung and three great-grandchildren: Ava & Logan DeYoung and Addie Plantenga. Also surviving is his sister, Katherine Post, of DeMotte, IN. John was preceded in death by his brother, Robert.

John graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1938 and received a BA in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1942. He also received a Master's Degree in Educational Guidance and Mathematics from Purdue. During WWII, he served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946, attaining the rank of Lieutenant and qualifying as an instructor of anti-submarine warfare and a radar technician. After the war, he worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co. for several years until a friend convinced him that "kids are more important than telephones." He then served at Annville Institute in Kentucky for a year as Dean of Boys and also taught chemistry. John went on to teach mathematics for three years in Redkey, IN.

In 1954, John was hired as the principal at Hanging Grove Township School in Jasper County, IN. The extent of that job was revealed a little at a time. The most challenging and rewarding part of that job involved the teaching of grades 6, 7 & 8 in the same room at the same time. Later, he returned to his high school alma mater, West Lafayette High School, to teach mathematics for 30 years, retiring in 1985.

John was a life long member of the Christian Reformed Church. He served Lafayette Christian Reformed Church as Sunday school superintendent, elder, and Council vice president. He served Lafayette Christian School as a board member and board president. John also served as treasurer of LOVE, Inc. He was qualified to exhort (preach) at Lafayette CRC, as well as, in several other churches and was a founding member of Sunrise Christian Reformed Church in Lafayette.

John enjoyed working in his backyard, gardening and working crossword puzzles. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with family and friends in the western United States, Canada, and overseas.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the Memorial Service at noon Wednesday in the Sunrise Christian Reformed Church, 909 E. 500 South. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Lafayette Christian School or Sunrise Christian Reformed Church. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care.

Published in the Journal & Courier from March 30 to March 31, 2013 

 

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