Rev. John M. Klumpenhouwer

September 3, 1934 - May 23, 2008

A fervent preacher, Christian school promoter, accomplished blacksmith and metal worker, and devout companion to many, Rev. John Klumpenhouwer died May 23, 2008 of colon cancer. He was 73.

Klumpenhouwer was born Sept. 3, 1934, in the province of Gelderland, the Netherlands, and immigrated to Canada in 1952 with his family. Desiring to serve the Lord in the gospel ministry, he enrolled in Calvin College in 1961. Upon graduation he enrolled at Calvin Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1968. He married Jane De Vries in 1966.

In 1968 Klumpenhouwer accepted a call from First Christian Reformed Church in Kemptville, Ontario. Three more Christian Reformed congregations subsequently profited from the Klumpenhouwers’ ministry: Lindsay (Ont.) CRC, 1972, Fredericton CRC, New Brunswick, 1978; and Forest (Ont.) CRC, 1984. Rev. Klumpenhouwer retired in 1995.

Preaching was a dear responsibility to Klumpenhouwer, and he put much care into preparing his sermons. He related easily to church members. But he was also concerned about those who did not know Christ’s saving grace, and he served on the board of Christian Reformed World Missions for several years.

During his retirement he was happy to devote time to his cherished metalwork, but he also continued to extend pastoral concern to those around him until the very end of his earthly life. He took great delight in the roles of father and grandfather.

Klumpenhouwer is survived by his wife, Jane, and their children Len and Beverly Klumpenhouwer, Bernadette and Winston Foreman, Kiem Klumpenhouwer, Kris and Karen Klumpenhouwer, and seven grandchildren.