John Wolfis
April 27, 1933 – January 8, 2026
A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@joldersmakleinfuneralhome8216. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, beginning at 10:00 a.m. John will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Those wishing to make a lasting gift in John’s memory are asked to consider Kairos Dwelling, in c/o the funeral home.
Obituary
Age 92 of Kalamazoo, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday morning, January 8, 2026. John was born in Bedum, Gronigen, The Netherlands, on April 27, 1933, the son of Eppe and Johanna (Klooster) Wolfis. On March 13, 1958, he married Stijntje “Tina” Oosterhuis, who preceded him in death in 2011. John and Tina and their son, Eppe, immigrated to the United States in 1961 on the S.S. Maasdam. John was a long-time member of the Christian Reformed Church. He loved music. He especially liked Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. He also loved playing the guitar himself. He liked sailing and had his own boat which he named “Stijntje” after his wife. As a family they enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan. He was a formidable chess player. John was mechanically minded and could fix anything. He owned a bicycle shop, a motorcycle shop, several gas stations and an automotive repair shop. John had a calm, steady kindness that always comforted those around him. Nothing was more important to him than his family and he loved spending time with them. John is survived by his daughter, Amanda (Douglas) Dubay of Freeport, MI; daughter in law, Ann Wolfis of Richland; grandchildren, Eppe Wolfis, Katie (Ryan) Boven, Adam Spencer, Olivia Dubay, Eliot (Beth) Dubay, Sarah (Jeff) Neumann; five great grandchildren; brother, Hendrik “Henk” (Gwen) Wolfis; sister-in-law, Hiek Wolfis; several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Besides his wife, John was preceded in death by his parents; son, Eppe Wolfis; brothers, Klaas Wolfis and Auke Wolfis; and sister, Trijntje “Trynie” Aikema.
Peter and I extend our condolences to the family of John. May God’s comfort and peace surround you.
I have such fond memories of Mr Wolfis. I was a single mom who worked close to the shop on Westnedge and he always made sure to do right by me and he loved my daughter. My sincere condolences go out to the family.
It was a life time ago,1980, that I first worked for John at Wolfis Standard Station on South Westnedge. John and Tina were my oldest daughter Tara Lee’s God Parents. I had fun working with Eppe his son & Robbie his nephew along with Johnny P, Dave, Doug and my oldest friend Mike Baugher who helped me get the job. I worked many weekends & nights, remembering the good time’s I had Running the 4X4 Dodge Power Wagon hauling car’s, pumping gas on very hot summer nights & freezing winter nights, John was one of a kind boss, “One of The Best” I ever worked for as a young man.
. John & Tina were kind loving supportive friends of my wife Tamie, daughter Tara Lee and myself. I will never forget all the life lessons John thought me and the love we received freely from John & Tina so many year’s ago. I will miss John dearly… I pray that God’s continued comfort peace healing and blessings be upon John’s daughter, daughter In-law, Grandchildren and Brother Hank and all John & Tina’s family, including Robbie his nephew, I pray that God’s loving gentle comforting Arm’s be around all of you each day, I pray that God’s Will will be done, I pray this in Jesus Christ name Amen Amen…
from old friends, Dustin & Tamie Sirrine & Children.