John Dinger ’50

John Phillip Dinger, born October 7, 1927, passed away at age 94 at his home in Zeeland on April 10, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised there by his beloved grandmother, Johanna Dinger. We all enjoyed the many interesting recollections of his youth growing up in Brooklyn.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during WWII, he came to Holland to attend Hope College on the GI Bill where he met and married Elsa DeWitt of Zeeland. John and Elsa enjoyed 67 years together.

He was a natural salesman and achieved success in numerous areas including selling gauges for Hemco Gauge of Holland, semi-trailers for Road Equipment of Grand Rapids, where he also served as president, and returnable packaging for Integrated Fabric Resource of Zeeland.

For vacation times, there were family trips abroad and wonderful summers at the family cottage in Macatawa.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife Elsa, his parents John and Marion Dinger, his brother William Dinger and his grandparents Philip and Johanna Dinger.

He is survived by his children: Christine (Christopher) Adams, John Phillip Dinger Jr., Meredith Dinger, Stewart Dinger ’77, Elizabeth Dinger ’79 (Steven ’77) Schaftenaar, and Caitlin (Fred) Talan. Grandchildren: John (Lauren) Schaftenaar, Lydia (Jon) Becker, Ellery Schaftenaar, Fred Talan, John Phillip Dinger Talan, and Emily Talan. Great grandchildren: Eiler and Colette Schaftenaar, and Julia and Harriet Becker.

He was a loving husband and a truly wonderful father. He will be sorely missed.