John F. Rietema, Jr., 77, of Kanawha passed away from cancer on Sunday, July 15, 2001 at his daughter's home in rural Kanawha. John, the son of Art and Dena (Roskamp) Rietema was born August 29, 2923 at Kanawha, Iowa.  He grew up in the Kanawha area and received his education in the country schools in Wright County. John served his country as a Gunners Mate 3rd Class in the U.S. Navy during WWII. John was united in marriage with Wilberta Jo Stoffer on June 12, 1947 in Alexander, Iowa.  The couple made their home in the Kanawha area where John was a lifetime farmer. John was a member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church and an active supporter of the Kanawha Christian School, as well as the American Legion. John is survived by his wife Berta of Kanawha; six children and their families: 1) Char Schreur and her husband, Robert of Kanawha, and their children, Tim and Diane Schreur and their children Jonathan and Megan, Nate and Catherine Schreur, Dan Schreur and his fiancee Crystal VanHaaften, and Aaron Schreur; 2) Steve Rietema and his wife, Jo of Helena, Montana and their children Amy and Michael Stevens and their daughter Elise, Pam and Jeff Hill and their daughter Lanae, Jon and Tiffany Rietema, Lori Rieteman, and Joy Rietema; 3) Kay Verbrugge and her husband, C.J., of Grand Rapids, Michigan and their children, Matt and Julia Verbrugge, Kim and Kevin Groenenboom, Jodi Verbrugge, David Verbrugge, and Danny Verbrugge; 4) Den Rietema and his wife, Cher of Hanford, California and their children, Mark and Kelly Rietema, Joel Rietema, Kristy Rietema, and Kyle Rietema; 5) Doug Rieteman and his wife, Cindy of Pella and their children, Angie and Allan Geetings, Tony Rieteman, Kurt Rietema, and Julie Rietema; and 6) Joy Hall and her husband, Jonathan of Bloomington, Minnestoa and their daughters, Jackie Hall and Jenae Hall; three sisters: Pearl Brower of Kanawha, Audrey Veldhouse and her husband, Jay of Pella, Donna VanZanten and her husband, Rev. Tony of Chicago, Illinois; two sisters-in-law: Glea Rietema Scholten and her husband Bill of Denver, Colorado, and Jennie Christians of Kanawha. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Thelma Rietema Christians, one brother Kerm Rietema, and two brothers-in-law, Andy Christians and Wiert Brower.