In Memoriam: Rev. Henry Eshuis

Living a life of faith and ministering to others was Henry Eshuis’s mission. Toward those he encountered—whether congregation members, neighbors, family, or friends—he was compassionate, loving, thoughtful, and caring. At his memorial service, a pastor colleague highlighted Henry’s wisdom and consistent grace. “Because of these qualities I held him in high regard,” the pastor said. Henry, 90, died Dec. 2, 2024.

Born in the Netherlands, Henry immigrated with his family to Ontario, Canada, in 1953. A graduate of Calvin College (now University) and Seminary, he was ordained in 1962, and then served seven Christian Reformed congregations in Ontario: Athens CRC; Compass Community Church, Strathroy; First CRC, Barrie; Maranatha CRC, Woodstock; Water Street Church, Guelph; and Bethany CRC, Fenwick. He retired in 1997.

Henry enjoyed landscape painting and working with wood, particularly in contributing to building his own homes or those of others in disaster relief areas. Henry appreciated humor and loved a good laugh. He always enjoyed spending time with family, including traveling, which he especially enjoyed with his wife in their later years.

Although Henry’s presence will be missed, his family celebrates “his life well-lived, his race well-run, and his faith well-kept.”

Predeceased in 2022 by Margaret, his wife of 64 years, Henry is survived by four children and their spouses and 10 grandchildren.