John Slagter, of Grand Rapids, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 26, 2018, two months shy of his 96^th birthday and 72^nd wedding anniversary (Sept. 12). He is survived by his wife, Eleanor (Wiersma); children, Rick of GR. and Barbara and Jerry Andreas of CA. They have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; sisters, Lois Huizenga and Thelma Snoeyink; in laws, Andy and Millie Cammenga, Marge Wiersma, Betty Wiersma, Herm and Joan Zylstra. John was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Marie Slagter; brother, Jack and Marian Slagter; brothers-in-law, Bill Huizenga, Cal Snoeyink, Kenneth and Ruth Wiersma, Robert Wiersma, and John Wiersma. John served four years in WWII. A World War II Vet, Paratrooper, D-day survivor, and Concentration Camp Liberator, he was also a skilled carpenter and outdoorsman. He was a part of the “Greatest Generation”.  He was proud to be a member of a group of men that started the CRC Calvinist Cadets program in the 1960’s. John worked for Holland Motor Express for 40 years as an Account Executive, and Past President of the Grand Rapids Transportation Club. The family has a cottage on Lake Michigan since 1966. He loved salmon fishing and golf – having played at seven TPC courses. John lived in GR for 35 years, retiring in 1987 to the family cottage at Cobmoosa Shores, Shelby, MI. He wintered in Fl, AZ, and CA. They traveled across the U.S. for 20 years visiting relatives and making new friends. They moved to Maple Creek Retirement Community in GR in 2000, then moved to Seal Beach Nursing Home in CA in December 2016. Services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church, Christian Education Fund.