John Christian Herremans
John Christian Herremans, 90, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, July 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, with much love and support from his family.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, Peter and Rosa (VanAgtmael) Herremans; and beloved son Patrick (Pat) Neil Herremans.
John will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 68 years, Donna (Kingsford) Herremans; children, Craig (Lynda) Herremans, Kathleen Herremans, Louis (Gwen) Herremans, and Michael (Audrey) Herremans; grandchildren, Jonathan (Jamie) Herremans, Brittany (Joe) Carl, Michele (Leo) Uber, Ashley (Jerry) Gran, Krysta (Jacob) Deshaler, Brianna (R.J.) Viskstis, Kayla Erickson, Ashley (Jerry) Gran, Christian (Nicole) Herremans, Morgan Herremans, Blake Herremans, Cole Herremans, Landen Herremans and Braden Herremans; and 14 great-grandchildren.
John was born March 18, 1935, in Ravenna. He moved as a young boy with his family to a farm near Walkerville, where he learned the values of hard work, integrity, and love for the land alongside his siblings Josephine, Barbara, Edward and Louis. John graduated from Walkerville High School, then attended a farm implements and sales program at Michigan State College and also went to auctioneering school. Following school, he served his county with honor in the U.S. Marine Corps for a four-year enlistment and was stationed in Okinawa immediately following the Korean War. Upon returning to the States, John married Donna Kingsford whom he had met at a dance prior to his enlistment. They moved to the Cherry Point Marine Air Base in Havelock where they lived for two years and welcomed their first child.
In 1959, John moved his young family back to Walkerville, where he joined his father both on the farm and in the auctioneering business. John, Donna and their five children worked side by side together raising beef, growing corn, hay, and eventually some fruit and asparagus. In addition to his busy farming and auctioneering career John served as Leavitt Township supervisor, was a member of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Posse for many years, served on the Oceana Hospital Board and drove bus for Walkerville Schools. In the late 60s, John established the Four Star 4-H Beef Club which still exists today. Once his children outgrew 4-H, he volunteered his services as the Auctioneer for the Small and Junior Market Auction and went every year to watch the cattle judging and several of his grandchildren show their animals at the Oceana County Fair.
Even in his later years, he continued auctioneering using his humor and quick wit to bring in the bids. Auctions were a labor of love for him and he was always thrilled to have his kids, their spouses and grandchildren involved. His grandchildren especially cherished time with Grandpa- he made every chore fun (especially feeding the barn cats and the cattle he loved) and every visit was an adventure. He has been enjoying meeting and teasing his great grandchildren whenever he could. John’s life was full of good memories, hard work, laughter, service to his community and much love.
Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at St. Joseph Weare Catholic Church, 2380 East Jackson Road, Weare Township. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2025, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, 2370 North 72nd Avenue, Hart. A luncheon will be served following the burial at Elbridge Township Hall, 2266 E. Polk Road, Hart.
In memory of John and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Crystal Valley Care Fund, PO Box 451, Hart, MI 49420, or Newaygo County Compassion Home, 20 South Stewart Avenue, Fremont, MI 49412.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
www.beaconfh.com
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