Dr. John Edward Vanden Akker, 86, of Roanoke, IN, died Thursday, May 23, 2019, at 1:33 p.m.
Dr. Vanden Akker was a 1952 graduate of Union High School in Grand Rapids and graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist Theological Seminary in 1960. He spent more than 40 years in Liberia, West Africa, as a missionary devoted to teaching students for the pastorate and developing leaders. His work continued here in the United States in Easley, SC, for 16 years as he led Rogma International (now Christian Discipleship International), which serves more than 50 countries. He was also instrumental in developing the curriculum and writing courses for Jake Memorial College, based in Monrovia, Liberia, from his Roanoke home.
He was born June 19, 1932, in Heeg, Netherlands, to Joe and Ida Visser Vanden Akker and emigrated to Grand Rapids, MI, with the family in 1949. He married Marilyn R. Mol on Sept. 7, 1956, in Grand Rapids, and she survives.
Survivors include a son, Kevin Scott (Jodi) Vanden Akker, of Huntington; a daughter-in-law, Janice Vanden Akker, of Grand Rapids, MI; three brothers, Frank Vanden Akker, of Atlanta, GA; Joe Vanden Akker, of Dekalb, IL; and Donald Vanden Akker, of Fairfield Glade, TN; a sister, Helen Mink, of Grand Rapids, MI; and four grandchildren, Jonathan Vanden Akker and Kaleb Vanden Akker, both of Huntington, and Rich Vanden Akker and Don Krueger, both of Grand Rapids, MI.
He was preceded in death by a son, Keith Allen Vanden Akker.
Calling is Tuesday, May 28, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 W. Park Drive, Huntington. A funeral service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. at the mortuary, with Rev. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Huntington.
Memorials are to Baptist Mid-Missions Foundation. For online giving, go to www.bmm.org.
The online guest book may be signed at www.baileylove.com.