John "Johannes" Claus

Psalm 30…’You have turned my mourning into dancing’.
John was a man of faith devoted to God, his wife, and his family.  He was patient, always trustworthy, a good listener, and content with his lot in life.
He passed away unexpectedly in his home in the early hours of Saturday, July 29th, 2023, with his loving wife of 19 years, Agnes, at his side. He was 79 years old.

John was born in the village of Rottevalle, in the Netherlands (Friesland) and immigrated to Canada in 1951 to Mississauga area, with his parents and 3 brothers at the age of 7.  John worked in management with GM for most of his working career until his retirement.  John enjoyed singing with the Men of Praise, gardening, camping, holidaying in FL, watching his grandkids play hockey and baseball, Friday night with the Gaithers, passing out peppermints to kids and grandkids in church…always,  playing euchre and fast track with friends, a chat and visit with neighbours, and sitting quietly in his comfy chair with his wife, children, and grandchildren and loved his best friend, Ruby…around him.

John is survived by his wife Agnes, son Peter (Debbie), Woodstock; his daughter Glenda (Albert) Wielinga, Tillsonburg; stepdaughters Lisa (Jason) Francis, Sebringville; and Lesley (Rob) Cleveland, Kitchener; and stepsons Jeremy (Tanya) Huygen, Mitchell; Izzy (Kim) Huygen, Fort McMurray, AB; and Adam Huygen in Calgary, AB., his grandchildren Caralie (Mike) Thompson; Alex (Madison) Wielinga and Erick Wielinga; Dylan (Courtney), Ethan, Carter (Kailynn) and Nathan Francis; Lyric (Josiah), Seth, Zachariah and Jade Huygen; Selah, Naomi, Eli and Adia Huygen; and great grandchildren Summer and Jasper Thompson.  He is also survived by his brother George (Meeke); and sister-in-law Pat.  He was predeceased by his parents Pieter and Anna, his first wife Anne, his brothers Hal (Marge), and Mike, and his grandson Kaleb Otto.

John’s loved ones take great comfort in knowing that Jesus was right there, took his hand, and stepped John into heaven…. freed from his limitations and pain from Parkinson's disease.

Friends are invited to meet with the family on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, at the Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 410 Lansdowne Ave., Woodstock from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held in the sanctuary on Friday, August 4th, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., with reception in the gym following the service.  A private family burial will take place at Oxford Memorial Park Cemetery, Woodstock, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Renew, (support for poverty and crisis-stricken persons); Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia (MWAHFE); Woodstock Homeless Missions, Children of the Promise (COTP) Haiti.