John Johnny' Van

John Johnny Van Hunnik, 89 of Webster died Sunday September 25, 2011 at Bethesda Home in Webster. His funeral will be at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Bristol, Rev. John Hisel officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday 5-7 P.M. and prior to services on Wednesday. Family prefers memorial to the Gideons, P.O. Box 159, Webster, SD 57274 or Bristol United Methodist Church, 425 E. 4th Ave., Bristol, SD 57219. John Rentze Van Hunnik was born on Friday, April 21, 1922 to Ares and Johanna (Nicolay) Van Hunnik at Chester, South Dakota. He began country school there. In May 1935 the family moved to a farm south of Bristol, he graduated from Bristol High School in 1941. In October 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Africa and Italy. He received the Good Conduct Medal, European, African and Middle Eastern Service ribbons and two Battle Stars. While in Italy he earned credit from the University of Florence. He was honorably discharged in November 1945 and returned to Bristol. On May 21, 1947 he was united in marriage to Nina Easterby at Bristol. They made their home in Bristol and were blessed with three sons: Jay, Terry and Kim. The couple opened Johnnys Shop in 1947 with the purchase of Joe Jirans Shoe Repair Store and operated the store until they sold it to their son, Terry in 1984. In their retirement they traveled throughout the United States, mostly in their motorhome and visited all 50 states. In August 2004 they moved to Heritage Village in Webster and he entered Bethesda Home in May 2011. Johnny was an active member of the Bristol United Methodist Church and served on the Church Board. He was also active in his community, serving on many boards including the Bristol Commercial Club, Jaycees, Development Corporation, School Board, P.T.A., Sun Dial Manor, Day County Fair Board, V.F.W., American Legion, The Gideons and was a Boy Scout Leader. He loved Bristol and the its people. Johnny passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 4 days. Survivors include his wife, Nina; three sons, Jay (LuAnn) Van Hunnik of Keystone, SD, Terry (Mary) Van Hunnik of Webster, SD and Kim (Juleen) Van Hunnik of Montgomery, AL; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gerrit and Aries.