John & Anne Marie Hamersma

John was born May 16, 1931 in Midland Park, NJ to his parents, John and Catherine Hamersma.  John was one of five children.  He was preceded in death by Annamae and Cornelia Hamersma, Jessie Keyser, and Marie Downs.

Anne Marie was born June 15, 1932 in Warwick, NY to her parents, John and Marie Keyser.  Anne Marie was one of three children and was preceded in death by John Keyser and Robert Keyser.

John and Anne Marie met in Midland Park, NJ and were married December 29, 1951, before John was shipped overseas to Tripoli during the Korean War where he served in the Air Force for four years.  He was very proud of his service to his country and loved to reminisce about his days in the military.  After the war, he owned a painting and decorating company.  He was a precision painter and wallpaper hanger.  He loved to give painting tips!  Upon retiring, he and Anne Marie moved to Texas.  It was his honor to serve as a deacon at Brookshire Baptist Church.

Anne Marie was very musically talented.  She played the organ at her church in Warwick, NY and continued to play in NJ after her marriage to John. She played the piano and organ for many years and had earned her Master’s degree from Trinity College of Music in London. She also gave piano and organ lessons. After their move to Texas, she continued to play the organ for many years at Brookshire Baptist Church.

After their retirement, John and Anne Marie traveled to the 48 contiguous states over the course of several summers in their motor home.

John and Anne Marie are greatly missed by their daughters, Marie Cool, Cathy Fernandez, Joanne Cole, and their spouses, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.  We appreciate the Christian home we grew up in and are so comforted to know our parents are with Jesus.