John Nyland

  John Nyland was born on Aug. 1, 1923, in Everett to Gerrit and Wilhemina (Hulshof) Nyland, the youngest of eight children. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior after a short illness on Friday, Sept. 18, 2015.
  His family moved to Whatcom County when he was a young boy and he attended local schools. He then graduated from Mount Baker High School, where he was an accomplished baseball player. John served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He was married to Viola DeJong on Dec. 13, 1944, until her death on Oct. 6, 1992. He married Freda Roosma on Oct. 30, 2000.
  John worked in the banking industry for over 30 years. He was an avid supporter of Lynden Christian Schools and sports programs, as well as serving on the Christian school board.
  His hobbies were golfing, watching grandkids’ sporting events, singing with the Kings Men of Song, drawing, writing letters to the editor, and woodworking. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to smile and laugh.
  The legacy he bestowed on others, most especially family, was outlined in Colossians 3:12, “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
  He was preceded in death by his four brothers and three sisters.
  John was loved by his wife, Fritz; children Judy (Dale) Bedlington, Gale (Nancy) Nyland, Joanne Hooff and Don (Julie) Nyland; stepchildren Gladys (Gale) Senti, Marge (David) Van Boven, Joyce (Jerry) Libolt, Ron Roosma and Keith (Roxie) Roosma; 27 grandchildren and 50 greatgrandchildren.
  His memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, in Second Christian Reformed Church, 113 Eighth St., Lynden. Memorials may be made to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264; Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225; or Second Christian Reformed Church, 113 Eighth St., Lynden, WA 98264.
  Thank you to Lynden Manor and Whatcom Hospice for the excellent care.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.