John Hamelink ’57

Hamelink, Jon 6/26/1935 – 9/29/2022 Jon D Hamelink, age 87, of DeTour Village, Michigan passed away peacefully in his sleep from natural causes on September 29, 2022. Jon was born June 26, 1935, and raised in Holland, Michigan. He graduated from Holland High School, then went on to obtain B.S. degrees from Hope College and Western Michigan University where he studied paper engineering. Between colleges Jon was drafted into the Army and served with distinction until honorably discharged. In retirement Jon also served with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Jon married Judy on his birthday in 1959 and raised his young family in Augusta, Michigan. His spent his career in paper mills as an engineer and plant manager and later served as the Executive Director of the Recycled Paperboard Technical Association in Kalamazoo. Judy sadly passed away unexpectedly in 1990. Jon remarried in 1993 to Dawn and built his retirement home in the Upper Peninsula. He spent his retirement up North where he continued to pursue his many interests especially gardening, bicycling, photography, and woodworking. Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Marinus and Ruth (Marcotte) Hamelink, his wife of 33 years, Judith (Siereveld) Hamelink, his second wife of 25 years, Dawn (Kline) Hamelink, and brother Dr. Jack Hamelink. Jon is survived by his son, Jeff Hamelink; grandchildren Kira Hamelink and Drs. Lucas [Alexis] Hamelink, and great granddaughter Mira Hamelink. In addition, he is survived by his brothers Dr. Ron Hamelink and Dr. Jerry  ’62 Hamelink, many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews, and his constant companion, a bichon frise named Samson.