Johannes "John" Cornelius Van Mantgem

April 23, 1936 – July 4, 2026

Celebrating Faith, Family, and a Life Well Lived

John Van Mantgem, age 90, of Phoenix, AZ and Holland, MI, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 4, 2026.

Born on April 23, 1936, in the Netherlands, and living in Delft, John experienced the hardships of World War II as a young child before immigrating with his family to the United States at the age of eleven. He attended Calvin College, where he met the love of his life, Bernice ("B") Vander Ziel, through her brother, Al Vander Ziel, who was John's roommate. John later graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and answered God's call to a lifetime of ministry.

John and B were married on March 16, 1963, and shared more than sixty years of faithful marriage before B's passing in 2023. Together they raised two sons while serving churches and missionary ministries in Wisconsin, California, Iowa, Bahrain, and Arizona. Wherever life led them, they built a home centered on faith, hospitality, generosity, and love.

Outside of ministry, John found joy in God's creation. He was an avid jogger, fisherman, traveler, guitarist, and lover of lakes, the ocean, and the outdoors. He believed in caring for the body God had given him and, after surviving a heart attack, was blessed to enjoy another 48 active years. In the final month of his life, he delighted in one last visit with family in California, exploring the Pacific Coast, the Redwoods, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Following B's illness and passing, John remained in the home he loved through the devoted care of his son Matt. In his final years, he was blessed with unexpected time shared closely with both of his sons and family — a gift he deeply cherished.

John was preceded in death, also on July 4th, 2023, by his beloved wife, Bernice ("B") Van Mantgem; his brothers, Jerry and Jake Van Mantgem; and his sister, Laura Ray.

He is survived by his sons, Matt Van Mantgem and David Van Mantgem (Sarah); his cherished grandson, Alex Van Mantgem; his sisters, Jeanne Green and Mary Kuyper; his brother, Mark Van Mantgem; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, July 25, 2026

12:00 p.m.

Christ Memorial Church – Chapel

595 Graafschap Road

Holland, Michigan 49423

PLEASE USE ENTRANCE D

A luncheon will immediately follow in "The Gathering Place" on the church campus.

Livestream:

For those who are unable to join us in person, the Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on YouTube. We are grateful that family and friends near and far can still be part of celebrating John's life.

https://www.youtube.com/live/ahqJEnHpA5I

John's family chose to celebrate his life in Holland because it is where their family began—where John and B met, where John prepared for ministry, and where B's ashes were scattered. In accordance with John's wishes, his ashes will later be privately scattered beside B's in Holland, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, the family invites those who wish to honor John's memory to consider a donation to the Theological Education Scholarship Fund for Racial-Ethnic Students of the Reformed Church in America.

The family chose this scholarship because it reflects a cause that became especially meaningful to John in his later years: the hope that Christ's Church would more fully reflect God's love for people of every race, ethnicity, and culture.

https://www.rca.org/theological-education-scholarship-fund-for-racial-ethnic-students/

John will be remembered for his steadfast faith, generous spirit, adventurous heart, deep love of family, and unwavering trust in God. His family rejoices in the assurance that he is now home.