Obituary of Jay Wesseling

Memorial Tribute Jay Allen Wesseling was born June 27, 1927 in Grand Rapids, MI to Jacob and Tena (DeGroot) Wesseling. He lived his youth in Grand Rapids. As a senior at Grand Rapids Christian High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving at Treasure Island near San Francisco, CA. While he was in the Navy, God called him to the ministry. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he enrolled at Calvin College and Seminary and spent the next seven years preparing for the ministry. He married Necia Meyering on August 19, 1948, and was ordained on September 24, 1953. His first church was Holland Christian Reformed Church in Holland, IA where he served from 1953 to 1957. He then served Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully, IA from 1957 to 1961; Baldwin Street Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, MI from 1961 to 1970; First Christian Reformed Church in Seattle, WA from 1970 to 1976; Third Christian Reformed in Zeeland, MI from 1976 to 1986; Walker Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI from 1986 to 1991. He then served First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA from 1991 to 1994, and officially retired September 30, 1994 after 41 years of active ministry. In 1995, he was released from the Christian Reformed Church and soon joined the new United Reformed denomination as minister emeritus. He served five years as an administrative minister at Cornerstone United Reformed Church in Hudsonville, MI. On August 16, 1996, Rev. Wesseling married Kay Bousema from Sheldon, IA and they made their home in Jenison, MI. After four years, they relocated to Sheldon, IA. Rev. Wesseling was the minister emeritus in the Sanborn United Reformed Church. He stayed busy serving as pulpit supply at United Reformed Churches throughout the United States until his health did not permit him to do so. He enjoyed playing golf, was an avid bowler, and enjoyed reading. He enjoyed watching many sports, from grade school all the way to professional sports, but his first love was preaching the Word. He is survived by his wife, Kay Wesseling; his children and their spouses: Karen (Peter) Bottema of Grandville, MI, son-in-law, David (Vonda) Van Beek of Hudsonville, MI, Ellen (Wilbur) Vander Linden of Canton, GA, Mary (Joseph) Owens of Smyrna, GA, James (Joann) Wesseling of Hudsonville, MI, and Lisa (Russell) Westenbroek of Zeeland, MI; three step-sons: Mark (Elsie) Bousema of Escondido, CA, Joel (Amy) Bousema of Sheldon, IA and Nathan (Kari) Bousema of Orange City, IA; his sister, Jessie (James) Platschore; sisters-in-law: Harriet (Stanley) Chase, Elizabeth Klaassens, Marge Meyering, Eleanor Meyering and Nancy (John) Gosselink; brothers-in-law: Gordon (Rachel) Hofman, Arlen (Mary) Hofman, David Hofman, and Jason (Lynda) Hofman; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 16 step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Necia; his daughter, Laurie Van Beek; brothers and their wives: Sidney (Gertrude) Wesseling, Stuart (Alice) Wesseling; sister-in-law, Vonnie Hofman; brothers-in-law: Lawrence Klaassens, John Meyering, Ralph Meyering and Gordon (Rolina) Meyering. ~ Memorials may be directed to MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship), and Sanford Sheldon Hospice ~