Birth date: Jun 12, 1925 Death date: Dec 17, 2008
John De Haan, 83, of Lansing, KS formerly of Clinton, passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 17, 2008. John was born June 12, 1925 to Louis and Stella De Haan in the northwest Iowa community of Newkirk. In 1951, he married B Read Obituary
John is a legend - my mother was in his first choir at CHS and my brother sisters and I were also fortunate to have been blessed by his instruction.
John taught us all through his love of music and I can't think of a period in my life where much time has gone by without recalling the good memories of choir days.
He gave us a gift that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, John, for your wonderful life. You were and are an inspiration to many. You taught a love for music and for life that I will never forget.
John DeHaan was an important part of our lives in our younger years. He and Betty were good friends of my folks (Marion & Elizabeth Howard), he sang for my dad's funeral and our daughter's wedding. I was his accompanist for CHS A'Capella Choir in 1957-58 and also accompanied him for some of his solo engagements. We ran into him occasionally in the following years...he always had a big smile to match his majestic voice.
Larry and Robert and families, you have our deepest sympathy in your loss. We will always remember your folks fondly.
I would like to send my thoughts to Mr. DeHaan's family. I am so sorry for the loss of John DeHaan. What a blessing he brought to my high school experience. It was an honor and a privilege to sing under his direction. The choir was always so proud to sing for him. I have the greatest respect for him. I can also thank Mr. DeHaan for bringing my boyfriend (husband) into the choir and for giving me a life of music to pass on to my children. How proud I am that my children also wore the robe of red and black and performed on the CHS stage with Mr. DeHaan's memory always present.
Sincerely,
Eileen Rohwer
No Christmas Season ever goes by without the bitter-sweet memories of Messiah practices/performances and the holiday music that we sang, mastered, and performed. Every song brings back memories of how this man was able to see our potential and skills. Thanks to he direction with a firm hand but gentle nature we were able to soar with our abilities.
I thank him for being there not only as a teacher, but as a father figure that we all seemed to need from time to time. A friend, he was also.
The trips that he took us on will be remembered for a life time. DC, and the area's stops, and Appleton Wis. are stories we now share with our children. The places we went with all the sites we saw and the leadership that he presented to us are all good memories. Him riding his bike or driving his oversized truck, he will be remembered and loved.
Thankful to of known this man, the times we talked, his direction, and affection he shared with us created the wonderful respect that we all still carry today.
I feel truely blessed to be one of the many this man has touch our lives forever. God has waited long enough to bring this man into HIS choir and home. We will all miss his spirit of life and I wish his family and friends comfort knowing that he has now joined the Master's choir with open arms.
God's speed to the rest of us, til we meet once again with him in heaven.
Amen..let it be done.
This man was very special to me, chose me for all-state choir, understudy for Fiona in Brigadoon and told me "Kiersten, when they made you, they broke the mold!" Well, now I make my living performing musical theatre in different venues across the country and I thank Mr. DeHaan for giving me the tools to do so, I can't thank him enough. Rest in peace, dear man.
I had the honor of singing under Mr. DeHaan's leadership during my years at CHS. He was passionate about music and students and exposed us to music that we grew to love and grow from. He was firm, yet loving and created a family for all of us in chorus. When I returned to Clinton two years ago, I felt my life had come full circle. My own children would stand on the famed CHS stage and carry on the tradition of music that touches your heart and soul. As my son took the stage with the chior for that first time last month I could imagine how happy John would be that his love of music was passed on to my children through him. It has been years since I've seen John but everytime I hear "May the Lord Bless You and Keep you" I am reminded of the impact he had on so many. My life has been richly blessed because of him. John,now, May the Lord Now Bless and Keep You in the palm of His hand.
Wendy Maxa- Jennings
It would be about this time every-other-year that Mr. DeHaan would lead the CHS Choir on an adventure to Washington DC where we would have the honor of singing in so many wonderful places.
His smile, his laugh, his look of peace when hearing beautiful music, and even his stern looks when something was off-key will always be embedded with great memories of an outstanding music program at CHS.
To his family, deepest sympathies. I hope it is a comfort to know the thousands of hearts he touched through music and education.
I have thought about Mr. DeHaan many, many times through the years. I just spoke about him in my own choir at church Wednesday night. I had a very rough time during high school and he was a strong, positive, kind man. I believe it was freshman year, due to scheduling conflicts with my classes I was going to drop out of choir. Mr. DeHaan came to me as he did 4 of my other wonderful classmates, and placed us in A'capella Junior/Senior choir. Scared out of my mind, I didn't think I'd make it. Being with those people and having him there daily saved my life. Literally. Unfortunately, he will never know just how much. Music is my life and he saw something in me I didn't. He demanded respect and made us better people just in knowing him. He encouraged us to become more then we thought we could ever be and took the time to allow us to grow. I don't know how many times he stated he would retire after each year at CHS, but we all hoped he would continue on forever. Just like today, 20+ years later....I know he will continue on in my heart, and in heaven. Thank you Mr. DeHaan...you are loved. Mary Ellen
All I can remember my brother talking about enjoying in his time at CHS was Mr. DeHaan and choir. He was greatly influenced and inspired by him. Paul became a singer and performer before he died in 1995. He was able to live his dream for a short while thanks to the teachings and inspiration of this great man. Thank you Mr. DeHaan and thank you to the family for letting the students of CHS benefit from his wisdom for so many years.
