John P. Kool, aged 93, of Byron Center, went to be with his Lord on Friday, April 19, 2024.  John served in the U.S. Navy and as an officer for the Michigan State Police. He was a loyal friend and a hard worker with a servant's heart. He loved Jesus and spent many years serving in the church, quietly in various ways, not looking for anyone to notice him or what he'd done, but for the glory of God. He worked as the custodian of Berean Bible Church for several years. He rarely talked about himself and was more interested in hearing what others had to say. He believed in Jesus as His Lord and Savior, and lived that out, looking forward, especially in the past few years, to going to be with Jesus. In his younger years, John enjoyed sailing, gardening, and traveling. More recently he enjoyed pontoon boat rides and spending time with his family.  His wife, Ruth (Velting) Kool, preceded him in death on Dec 25, 2022. John and Ruth were longtime members of Rush Creek Bible Church.  John will be deeply missed by his children, John (Brenda) Kool, Debra (David) Engebretsen, James (Pat) Kool, Kenneth (Elisabeth) Kool and Karen (Mark) Edwards; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; brother, Jay Kool; sister, Wilma VanZanten; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gloria Velting, Pearl (Jack) Hoffius, Phyllis Velting and David (Joan) Velting; and many nieces and nephews.  The family will welcome visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI.  John's funeral service will be 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Rush Creek Bible Church, 2334 76th St. SW, Byron Center, MI, with Pastor Cameron Townley, officiating. Interment will be in Grandville Cemetery.  Contributions in memory of John, may be made to the Rush Creek Bible Church Capital Campaign.