March 15, 1939 – March 8, 2022
information provided by Smits Funeral Home
On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, God gathered to Himself His beloved saint, Donald Haak, 82 years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Patheresa Jane Haak.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife Anita Rose (DeJong), son Theodore (Carolyn Schroetenboer), daughter Rebekah (Jason) Huizenga, granddaughters Madeline Stanger, Chloe Cihak, and Lyla Huizenga, and many relatives and friends.
Don was the middle son in a family of five boys — the late John (late Ida), the late Robert (late Audrey), Ken (Delores), and James (Jim). He was preceded in death by his father, Nicholas (Claus) and mother, Henrietta (Dornbos).
Relatives from Don’s first marriage are the children and grandchildren of: (sisters-in-law) the late Anna (late Peter) Poortenga, late Theresa Ipema, late Jeanette (late Jim) Triezenberg, late Henrietta (late Tom) Quinnlevin, late Grace (late Ernie) Medema, late Clarice (late Bob) Hoving (brothers-in-law) the late Henry (late Charlotte) Ipema; late Cornelius (late Helen) Ipema. Don and Anita esteemed and loved the members of Pat’s family.
Relatives from Don’s second marriage are: sisters-in-law: Joyce (late Frank) Antczak and boyfriend Randy Baxter, Carol (late Harold) Brands, Elizabeth/Becky (Jim) Hanemaayer, Esther (Marvin) Schwarz, Ann (Billy) Wilson. Brothers-in-law: Art (Sarah) DeJong, Ken (Marilyn) DeJong, Wayne (Vicki) DeJong, George (Denise) DeJong, Homer (Evelyn) DeJong, Don (Cindi) De Jong, Bill (Patricia) DeJong, Lewis (Janet) DeJong, John (Henrietta) DeJong, Henry (Dort) DeJong, along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Don loved God, his family, his relatives, and friends. In his life he put the good of others first. For example (and a great comfort) was when, in 2018, it was determined that he needed the care provided in a rest home, his concern was for Anita as he said, “I don’t want you to feel guilty.”
Don was a life-long member of the Protestant Reformed Churches – Oak Lawn PRC, South Holland/Crete PRC (in Illinois) for most of his life, Cornerstone PRC (Indiana), Edgerton PRC (Minnesota), and First PRC (Grand Rapids, Michigan). His greatest desire and joy was to go up to God’s house each Sabbath Day and hear God’s Word proclaimed. We are thankful for the preaching and teaching of these churches which opened up to us God’s way of salvation as revealed in His Word. Though wheelchair bound, Don went to church every opportunity he could — even in bitterly cold weather. When he no longer could go, he still expressed his desire that he wanted to go.
Visitation will be Monday, March 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Crete Protestant Reformed Church, 1777 Richton Road, Crete, IL 60417. The funeral, led by Rev. Carl Haak, will begin at 11:45 a.m. Family and friends are invited to the committal, at Oakland Memory Lanes – Dolton, IL. A funeral gathering will be held simultaneously in Michigan, for the students of Eastside Christian School and those who wish to join them, at First Protestant Reformed Church (2800 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506). This will begin at 12:45 p.m. EST. Those gathered will listen to the funeral via live-stream after which Don’s pastor, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, will address them.
The family is very thankful for the care Don received at Edison Christian Health Center (ECHS) the last three years and four months. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to ECHS (1000 Edison Avenue, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504), Eastside Christian School (2792 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506), Free Christian School (821 W 4th Avenue, Edgerton, MN 56128), or a Christian school of your choice.
