John Sturris

Sturris, Derk Jan Bernard “John” - Our much loved husband, father and grandfather Derk Jan (John) Sturris passed away peacefully at Woodstock Hospital on January 14, 2022 in his 79th year.

He was born in Varsseveld, Gelderland, Holland and immigrated to Canada in 1952 with his parents Bernard and Johanna (nee Toonk) Sturris along with his sisters Ann (Steve) Engardt and Erna (d. 2009) (Gerald) Groves.  John is survived by his wife Rita (Tichelaar) and his children Marcus (Andrea) Sturris and Jolene (Darran) Barker as well as his much loved grandchildren Madison and Kyle Sturris and Cameron and Nathan Barker.  He was so quietly proud of each of them.  John is also survived by his in-laws Renus and Sandra Tichelaar, Koas and Nick Huizenga, and Linda (Mike d. 2019) Berta.  John was also loved by many nieces and nephews.

On his birthday on August 27, 1966 John married Rita, they were blessed to celebrate 55 years of marriage with a wonderful dinner party with family and friends this past year.

Together with his father Ben, they bricked many commercial, industrial, and residential buildings in the Woodstock area.  Later, he and Rita owned John B. Sturris Contracting, continuing in the masonry business, employing and training many in the masonry trade.

John loved to fish, camp, ski, and hunt in his younger days.  For many summers, John, Rita and the kids navigated the Trent Severn Waterway on their boat The Jomari.  John was a past member of the Woodstock/Oxford Rotary Club and volunteered for many years for the Woodstock Figure Skating Club. John and Rita are long time founding members of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Woodstock.

John was a quiet unassuming man.  He always felt there were enough talkers in the world so he chose to be the listener.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated and may be arranged through the Brock and Visser Funeral Home (519-539-0004). Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.brockandvisser.com

God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December – James M. Barrie

We will cherish the memories.

Rest in peace dear one. The fight is over.