David P. De Jong, 93, of Wooster went to be with his Lord on Friday, September 24, 2021 at his home.
He was born May 20, 1928 in Oskaloosa, Iowa the son of Pieter and Alice Langstraat De Jong. He was united in marriage to Esther Sylvia Hunter at the First Baptist Church in Anoka, MN where they maintained their membership for most of their life. She preceded him in death on June 11, 2000 after 48 years of marriage.
On December 9, 2000 David married Sylvia Ellen Beegle Miatke, who survives.
David trusted Christ as his Saviour on June 14, 1942 at Berean Baptist Church in Knoxville, Iowa. Shortly after his baptism he began teaching Sunday School and DVBS. He pastored Valley Methodist Church and Coal Ridge Baptist Church, simultaneously as a teenager while learning construction trades from his father. David graduated in 1953 from Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Missions. While at Northwestern he accepted the call from God to serve as a missionary in South Africa with the Africa Evangelical Fellowship. David and Esther spent most of their lives in missions. Seventeen of those years were spent in South Africa. Shortly after returning to the United States he founded Helps International Ministries and was the president until his retirement. In the year 2000 when David married Sylvia he moved to Wooster, Ohio. David and Sylvia continued in missionary work in the United States and in Africa. David served on the boards of the Russian Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Union, Source of Light Ministries, International Ministries, and The Association of North American Missions. After David learned his construction skills and Bible skills, he used them in ministry the rest of his life, knowing that by doing so, he was sending eternal materials to heaven so God could build his eternal home.
David is survived by his wife Sylvia. His children: Paul (Sandy) De Jong, Timothy (Lorie) De Jong, James (Kyleen) De Jong and Mark (Ruth) De Jong. Step Children: Rhonda (Bruce) Arney, Ray (Asha) Miatke and Rex (Kim) Miatke. Grandchildren: Daniel (Heather) De Jong, Heather (Patrick) Lawrence, Nathan (Joyce) De Jong, Heidi (Nathan) Gabler, Brian (Stefanie) De Jong, Sheila (Brian) Weller, Philip (Kami) De Jong, Njema De Jong, Rehema De Jong, Ngina De Jong, Amber (Jesse) Jacobs, Veronica (Mike) Reichman. Step grandchildren: Shawn Siciliano, Desiree (Chris) Remick, Lela Miatke, Iris Rain Miatke, Baxter (Devon) Miatke, Daicey Miatke, and Madison Miatke. 23 great grandchildren. Siblings: Marvin (Gwen) De Jong and Naomi (Dennis) Nelson.
David was preceded in death by his wife Esther, his son Daniel Lee, his parents, a granddaughter; Sarah Lynn De Jong and siblings; Stephen De Jong, Donald De Jong and Esther Gadbois.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 9th, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 7605 Pleasant Home Rd. Sterling, Ohio 44276 with Pastor Steve Olsen officiating. Burial will be at Moreland Cemetery. There will be no calling hours due to Covid.
Arrangements are under the direction of McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home 216 E. Larwill St. Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Online Condolences may be posted at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
Service
Saturday, October 9th, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 7605 Pleasant Home Rd. Sterling, Ohio 44276 with Pastor Steve Olsen officiating.
Visitation
CORRECTION – There will be no calling hours due to Covid.
No more pain or tears or worries.. Welcomed into life eternal with his heavenly father.. Uncle Dave (not reall@y my uncle)
my uncle. May he rest in peace and love.
Prayers for the family.
David was a wonderful Christian man! Always enjoyed him and Esther when they would visit Sandy and Paul! The separation is so profound but you know where he is and that brings you peace! God bless you all! Love and prayers!
Rev David DeJong was such a humble, loving and God-fearing servant of God with a very great heart of love for us Pastors in Kenya that made him come personally to minister at AIC SONDU TOWN LOCAL CHURCH with his son Professor James and Kyleen DeJong who are my beloved Parents, mentors and College Professor, May the Almighty God rest his soul and spirit in eternal peace. To the entire Dejong’s family our prayers for God’s special grace and strength to go through these difficult moments of life. Your grandson, Pastor Elly Ngoya.
So many good memories of Uncle Dave. Thinking of all the family during this time, and praying that God will give comfort as you look forward to that day when we will all be united together again. Much love to all of you. Deepest sympathy.
I wasn’t blessed to know him personally, but I know and love the family. I am praying for all the family at this time, for strength, peace and comfort, and for traveling mercies.
David was a dedicated servant of the Lord and in life was a Christian example to us all in spirit and word and deed.
David has visited Kenya many times and he roofed Scott Theological College Kitchen roof when the big Mumbu tree fell. He worked on other department that needed his carpentry proffession. He was a wonderful man. The Spirits says, YES they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!
My Condolences to the entire family. Pole Sana!
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you Sylvia and family. Orlo
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Orlo
Our prayers for David’s family during this time of transition and rejoicing. David was special in our lives as he accepted and mentored us as we joined our first mission agency, HIM. He was personally specially encouraging and he opened up new and fruitful and exciting doors for us that have spanned many ministries and various continents. He was a man who entrusted His Lord to lead, and David followed faithfully and saw much accomplished for the Kingdom – more than any of us will ever know.
We will miss your larger than life presence and witness to the goodness of God, David. We are so glad to have met you and become friends with you and Sylvia. We look forward to sharing about “Opa’s life” with our children. And we look forward to seeing you again with our Lord Jesus!
Faithful and true to the end. You are missed here on earth but heaven rejoices.