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1920 — 2014
Johan de Wit Obituary
Sept. 8, 1920 - March 1, 2014
Johan Nicolaas de Wit, 93, passed away in Woodland on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Johan was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Sept. 8, 1920. He was the son of Johan Nicolaas de Wit and Stijntje Borst.
Johan spent his childhood on Java, Indonesia, returning to the Netherlands in 1933 and graduating in 1939 from the College for Tropical Agriculture in Deventer, the Netherlands.
WWII prevented Johan from returning to Indonesia to pursue his career. His artistic talent, however, led him to be accepted at the Academy of Arts in Amsterdam, but he was prevented from attending because of the required draft in the German war industries. Upon his refusal he spent the remaining war years into hiding.
After the war, Johan took a position as an agent for KLM Airlines where he met his future wife to be Ineke Eschauzier.
Johan immigrated to Canada in 1950 where he found work in the lumber and nursery industry. While in Canada, Johan was offered a position with the United Fruit Company in Chiriqui Province, Panama.
Johan and Ineke were married in Panama City 62 years ago. Their children, John and Barbara, were born in Puerto Armuelles, Panama. Their lives together took them from Panama to Costa Rica, where Johan was involved with the culture and diseases of bananas. In 1958, Johan was transferred to Cuba to be in charge of sugar cane cultivation. After two wonderful years in Cuba the family immigrated to the United States as refugees.
Johan and his family moved to Woodland in 1960, where he worked for E.L. Wallace & Sons, growing rice for 27 years.
Johan was an accomplished artist and story teller. Many pictures he painted and stories he told of his life in Indonesia and the Netherlands will be cherished by his families forever.
Johan is survived by his wife, Ineke; son John, daughter Barbara and partner Jim Hepburn, sister Hendrika Heeren, brothers Thomas and Eduard de Wit; and his brothers- and sister-in-laws Han Eschauzier, Jacob Heeren and Bianca de Wit; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Johan was preceded in death by his father, Johan; his mother, Stijntje; and his sister, Annie.
A memorial for Johan will take place at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Johan de Wit
March 16, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss.
friends of John, Cary and Sieb Jurriaans
Pauly van Muyden
March 14, 2014
'Jon' was a man of character and talent. You both were a compatible, close couple. My family and I offer our condolences to you, Ineke.
Pauly van Muyden
March 14, 2014
'Jon' was a man of character and talent. You were a close couple. My family and I offer our condolences to you, Ineke.
Stephanie Hermle Belden
March 13, 2014
Dear De Wit family. I am so sorry at the loss of your husband and dad. My sympathies are with you all.
Donna Dinsdale-Price
March 12, 2014
Dear Ineke,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Johan was a good man and I have many memories growing up across the street from you.
Donna Dinsdale-Price (Chamberlain)
Donna Brooks
March 11, 2014
Ineke, So sorry to hear of Johan's passing. My condolences to you and your family.
Donna Brooks
March 11, 2014
Ineke, My condolences to you and yuor family.
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