1923
John
2016
John B. Raterink
May 26, 1923 — April 19, 2016
John B. Raterink (Johnny to his siblings), 92, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died at home surrounded by his family on April 19, 2016. John will be interred with his wife Donna (deceased 2010) in the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
John was born on May 26, 1923, the first of seven children to Benjamin and Mary (Nagelkirk) Raterink in Zeeland, MI. He graduated from Zeeland High School in 1941 and enlisted in the US Army Air Force (AAF) on October 15, 1942. He served in the 822nd Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group, flying Mitchell B-25 Bombers as a Tail gunner. John's Squadron served in the Western Pacific Air Offensive flying missions in the New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Japan Air Offensive, and Luzon Campaigns. Upon separation from the AAF on January 11, 1946 he returned home to marry the former Donna Joyce Ter Haar of Holland, MI on June 6, 1950. John was employed as a lumber salesman and housing estimator in Holland, MI until 1983 when he moved to Albuquerque, NM. He worked for Hunter Lumber until 2001 when he retired. John and Donna were longtime members of Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
John is survived by his children, Darryl (Judi) of Holland, MI, Claudia Cafferky (Jory) and Mark (Leslie) of Albuquerque, NM; two grandsons, Jeffrey (Tammy) and Matthew (Lakkana) both of Holland, MI; three granddaughters, Samantha Rogers (Jason) of Albuquerque, Stephanie Stahlbusch (Erik) and Kimberly Hood (Chris), both of Nashville, TN; four great- grandchildren; and five siblings, Pearl Sterken (Al, deceased) of Kalamazoo, MI, Bernie (Esther) of Hudsonville, MI, Floyd (Gloria, deceased) of Milwaukee, WI, Mary of Holland, MI, Gordon (Carol, deceased) and a sister-in-law, Norma (Jerry, deceased) both of Zeeland, MI.
One of his favorite things for many years was his daily breakfast at Milly's on Jefferson. They were his home away from home. He loved sports (especially the Detroit Tigers), putting together jigsaw puzzles and reading many kinds of books but especially his Bible which he read every day.
He was loved greatly and will be missed very much.
FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400
John was born on May 26, 1923, the first of seven children to Benjamin and Mary (Nagelkirk) Raterink in Zeeland, MI. He graduated from Zeeland High School in 1941 and enlisted in the US Army Air Force (AAF) on October 15, 1942. He served in the 822nd Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group, flying Mitchell B-25 Bombers as a Tail gunner. John's Squadron served in the Western Pacific Air Offensive flying missions in the New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Japan Air Offensive, and Luzon Campaigns. Upon separation from the AAF on January 11, 1946 he returned home to marry the former Donna Joyce Ter Haar of Holland, MI on June 6, 1950. John was employed as a lumber salesman and housing estimator in Holland, MI until 1983 when he moved to Albuquerque, NM. He worked for Hunter Lumber until 2001 when he retired. John and Donna were longtime members of Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
John is survived by his children, Darryl (Judi) of Holland, MI, Claudia Cafferky (Jory) and Mark (Leslie) of Albuquerque, NM; two grandsons, Jeffrey (Tammy) and Matthew (Lakkana) both of Holland, MI; three granddaughters, Samantha Rogers (Jason) of Albuquerque, Stephanie Stahlbusch (Erik) and Kimberly Hood (Chris), both of Nashville, TN; four great- grandchildren; and five siblings, Pearl Sterken (Al, deceased) of Kalamazoo, MI, Bernie (Esther) of Hudsonville, MI, Floyd (Gloria, deceased) of Milwaukee, WI, Mary of Holland, MI, Gordon (Carol, deceased) and a sister-in-law, Norma (Jerry, deceased) both of Zeeland, MI.
One of his favorite things for many years was his daily breakfast at Milly's on Jefferson. They were his home away from home. He loved sports (especially the Detroit Tigers), putting together jigsaw puzzles and reading many kinds of books but especially his Bible which he read every day.
He was loved greatly and will be missed very much.
FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400
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