John Oren Snoek

John Oren Snoek, age 87, of Robinson Township, passed away at home on Saturday, November 29, 2025. His wish was to have his last days at the home he loved so much.

He was born on October 8, 1938, in Grand Haven, MI, to the late Clarence and Ana (Samargia) Snoek. John married Patricia Lou Miller on September 21, 1974, in Grand Haven. She preceded him in death on March 26, 2020, after 46 years of marriage.

John grew up in Grand Haven and graduated from Grand Haven High School. He proudly served his country in the US Coast Guard as a cook, which he loved. After his time in the service, he worked as a plant manager at Midwest Pipe Company in Grand Haven, the site where Home Depot is currently located. John retired from Midwest and shortly after that, he began working for his brother at Snoek, Inc. It was a family affair.

John was the epitome of a hardworking man, and he worked full time while running a farm and beekeeping for many years; his honey was always in high demand. He was a man who people knew they could count on to give them his time, advice on farming, bees, and many other things. Those who really knew him knew he was one of a kind! John raised many animals including beef cattle, which he processed, and he was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting during deer season. One time, he even brought a donkey home in the back seat of his convertible.

John continued to hay, process beef, and harvest honey until his 87th birthday. His goal was to hit the 90-year mark, but cancer took that from him.

John was an avid bowler for over 60 years who even bowled one 300 game in his bowling career, which he was pretty proud of.

John surrounded himself with many close friends: Mike McCaleb, Mike Ott, John "Johnny O" Olechnowicz, Chet Stolarz, Ron Klop, Paul Smeenge, Jody Ryder, and many more. Oh, the stories these men can tell about their time in the barn with Farmer John. Drinking his homemade wine, cutting up beef, and tossing a piece into the "frying pan" to cook up when all is done.

He loved watching football and baseball, and he loved his Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers. If you ever called him while the game was on, you had better have a good reason. John met with the guys every morning for breakfast at a local restaurant where they would talk about all that was happening in Grand Haven. He was a longtime member of St. Patrick – St. Anthony Catholic Parish, the Grand Haven Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 925, and the Knights of Columbus.

John is survived by his two daughters, Melody (Randy) Holcomb and Teresa (Tom) Racette; his son, Robert Snoek; daughter-in-law, Patricia Snoek; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Marian Ranft, Dorena Dodds, Ruth Taber, and Libby (Bill) Chase; and his trusted sidekick, Maggie, his golden retriever. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Jody Williams; sons: John Marcus Snoek, Joseph Oren Snoek, and Leo Stanley Frayer; and brother, Robert Snoek.

The Memorial Mass for John will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick – St. Anthony Parish with Fr. Charles Hall officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Interment will be at Robinson Township Cemetery in the spring of 2026.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Trinity Health at Home Hospice – Grand Haven. Please visit www.klaassen funeralhome.com to sign John's online guestbook.