Jan Van Donk Obituary (1937 - 2015)

Jan van Donk, 77, died peacefully January 27, 2015, at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. The son of Jan and Arina van Donk, he was born November 4, 1937 in Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel, The Netherlands. Jan immigrated to the U.S. for higher education, graduating from Goshen College and Columbia University. Mr. van Donk was a physics professor at the University in Gaborone, Botswana, where he and his wife Carol served with Mennonite Central Committee. He later taught Geology at Wheaton College (Illinois) and Phillips University (Oklahoma). After teaching for 15 years, Jan was a document analyst at Chemical Abstract Services in Columbus, Ohio, where he enjoyed working among colleagues from a variety of nationalities until his retirement. On April 8, 1967, Jan married Carol (Hunter) van Donk of Brooklyn, NY, with whom he shared 47 years. He is survived by three children: Kim van Donk; Tanya Craft, married to Mike; and Daryl van Donk. He was "opa" to two grandchildren, Mark and Macy Craft. Also surviving are three siblings: Tiny Ackema, of Arnhem, The Netherlands; Cor van Donk, of Land O' Lakes, FL; and Dick van Donk, of Driebergen, The Netherlands. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Piet and Arie. Jan was a person of principal and integrity. Family and friends appreciated his unique sense of humor. He had a quiet and thoughtful manner, yet was outspoken about ethical concerns that were important to him. Of particular interest were issues of peace and justice, which he addressed with community groups and elected officials. He was active in church, teaching adult Sunday school classes for decades. He was an avid collector of rocks and minerals, and his collection included specimens from his travels around the U.S. and to countries on four continents. A memorial service will be held at Park View Mennonite Church on February 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends at the church at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S. 12th St., Akron, PA 17501, or to Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Foundation, 1491 Virginia Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence Arrangements entrusted to the McMullen Funeral Home.