John R. Dantuma

John R. Dantuma, 86, of Galion passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, October 11, 2019.

John was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 9, 1933, to the late John Edward Dantuma and Grace (Munich) West. He married Georgeanna Kay (Jameson) Dantuma on June 7, 1957, and she survives him.

John was a graduate of the Union High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. John furthered his education after high school, receiving his Bachelor's Degree from the Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary as well as earning his Master's Degree in Philosophy of Education from Michigan State. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Germany during the Korean War. John attended the Galion Alliance Church. John is a retired Pastor, from which he has served in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. He was a pastor at the First Baptist Church in Galion in the 1980's. He last preached in June of this year at the Galion Alliance Church. John was a great Bible teacher. He enjoyed listening to and singing Gospel music and playing basketball. John was very poetic and loved writing poems. He was very musically inclined, and he loved to sing with his wife Kay. As a young boy, he learned how to play many instruments through the Salvation Army. Creativity was another craft that John possessed. He loved to make pen and ink drawings as well as painting in watercolor.

In addition to the love of his life Kay, John is survived by his children, Loralee (Mark) Kring of Haslett, Michigan, Denise (Jeff) Ellis of Secor, Illinois, Daniel (Jenny) Dantuma of Pinconning, Michigan, Kirt (Sherrie) Dantuma of Mansfield, Ohio, Susanna (David) Beach of Ontario, Ohio; his 20 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren as well as three on the way.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward Dantuma and Grace (Munich) West; and his siblings, Kathryn, Marilyn, David, and Edward.

Friends may call on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am at Galion Alliance Church, 430 Portland Way North, Galion where a memorial service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastors Mark Kring and Rick Maddox officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Galion Alliance Church Deacon's Fund.

Those wishing to share a memory of John or to the Dantuma family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 303 Portland Way North, Galion is honored to serve the family of John R. Dantuma.

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