John Clifton Kaiser

John was born in South Bend, Indiana on May 22, 1928 to Reuel and Elsie Kaiser. He grew up on a farm near Three Rivers, Michigan. He served in the Army in Japan shortly after World War II ended. He went to Taylor University where he met his future bride, Mary Fitch. He worked summers at the Word of Life camp in Schroon Lake, New York. After graduation from college, John and Mary were married in Ludington, Michigan. They moved to Holland in February of 1953. They joined Holland First Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. He also sang in the choir and served in various other positions.

He was very competitive in sports and games. He played competitive fast pitch softball, as a pitcher, into his fifties. He supported his family in their sporting and special events. He was a coach for Little League baseball for several years.  He also loved to tend his garden, and shared the bounty with many.

Dad made time to take us on adventures such as fishing, canoeing, boating, and camping. He took us on vacations once or twice each year throughout the great lakes, east and west coast, and winter trips to Florida. These adventures helped us see and experience the beauty of God’s creations and led to adventurous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He often invited other families to join us on our adventures, which made them more memorable.

He took an early retirement from the Michigan Employment Security Commission so he and Mary could travel. They loved to travel in the United States and together visited all 50 state capitals, in addition to making regular visits to children and grandchildren, just to visit, or for special events such as births, birthdays, graduations, and weddings.

John often quoted the words to this poem by C. T. Studd, a British missionary to China, India and Africa: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” This theme seemed to be a guiding principle in John’s life. His family would hear him on phone calls with other men who were going through difficult situations. We would hear him often quote Bible passages such as: “There is a way which seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” He was quick to help others in need without any expectation of return. He was a spiritual leader at home, with regular family devotions and dedication to service in the church. He would invite guest speakers and visiting missionaries and other families in the church to Sunday dinners.   He would often visit church members who were shut-ins, and not able to attend the church service.

His work ethic during his career and around home lives on through hard-working children and grandchildren. Many will remember the faithfulness and loving kindness of John and Mary, especially the children and grandchildren. Not many of the great grandchildren were able to get to know them, but they will hear of them.

Children:

David Kaiser of Holland

Tom and Carol Kaiser of Portsmouth, RI

Shirley and Marty England of Holland

Paul and Shari Kaiser of Charlotte, NC

10 Grandchildren

20 Great grandchildren

Surviving brother and sisters in law:

Rodger Hughey of Vicksburg, MI

Carol Fitch of Scottville, MI

Grace and Dick Christenson of Ringgold, Georgia

Kathy Falor of Knoxville, Tennessee

Many nephews, nieces, and cousins

John was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Kaiser, in 2008.

A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be 11:00am Saturday, March 19, 2022 at First Baptist Church (Holland), 1066 E. 8th St.

Visitation will be from 10am until the time of the service Saturday, March 19 at First Baptist Church of Holland.

Burial was at Lakewood Cemetery, Holland.

Memorial contributions may be made to Family Research Council, or to First Baptist Church  of Holland

Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com to leave a message or memory for the Kaiser family.