Alex Dejong Obituary, Death – Alex DeJong was born December 30, 1931, in Holland, Michigan, to Rev. William C. DeJong and Marie (Blom) DeJong. He lived with his parents in several communities throughout his childhood: Holland, Michigan; Midland Park, New Jersey; Steen, Minnesota; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Hull, Iowa where he graduated from High School in 1949. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he met his future bride and love of his life, Joline D. DeBoer.
They had their first date in Chicago on an acapella choir trip. He graduated in 1953 and immediately thereafter served in the Army until 1955. He and Joline were married soon after on June 18, 1955, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. To this union were born three children: Jocelyn Mardo, Jay William, and Jana Marie. Alex completed graduate studies in History at the University of Iowa in 1959 and accepted a teaching position at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. In 1968, he and Joline and family were called back to Central College where he taught in the History Department, and she accepted a part-time position in the Art Department. He enjoyed a long career at Central until his retirement in 1993.
At that time, he dedicated himself to cooking dinner for his wife and caring for his first grandson. In addition, he delighted in singing in the Second Reformed Church choir and Pella Community Chorus, as well as participating in the Berkshires Choral Festivals. He was an avid cyclist, tennis player, model train enthusiast, and had a keen interest in astronomy. He and Joline and friends from Central went on many cycling adventures. When he wasn’t on a bike, he could be found reading books on history, politics, economics, philosophy, and religion. John also engaged in various service activities including 15 years as a volunteer counselor in the Senior Health Insurance Information Program of the State of Iowa.