John M. Zook

John M. Zook, 92, of Goshen, Indiana, passed peacefully on April 26, 2025, at his home in Waterford Crossing.

John was born in Garden City, Missouri, on April 12, 1933, to Edward and Nancy (Hershberger) Zook. He was the youngest of seven children. John married Rosemary Stieglitz in 1958, in Goshen. She preceded John in death in 2017.

John is survived by his three children, Lori (Joe), Marc (Wendy), and Becci; six grandchildren, Sophia and Isaac, Rachel and Olivia, and Liam and Avery; and a dear friend who is considered family, David Kwang-Eel Suh. Also surviving are loving sisters and brothers by marriage, as well as devoted extended family.

John completed his bachelor’s degree in education at Goshen College in 1956, and later a master in school counseling at Western Michigan University. John and Rosemary served with Mennonite Central Committee in South Korea,1958–1963, following the Korean War. John was principal of 200 young men at Mennonite Vocational School, and Rosemary the school nurse and matron. Professionally, John served as Director of Admissions at Goshen College, and as Guidance Counselor at Bethany Christian High School.

John treasured the many connections with family and friends throughout his life. Along with Rosemary, they frequently visited and helped to raise their six grandchildren with warmth, humor, games, acceptance and love. They steadfastly organized and hosted family reunions on both sides of their family. Moreover, his warm spirit seemed to convey and create the sense that all were extended family, including those who supported him at his last home in Waterford Crossing.

John delighted in stimulating conversation, laughter and close friendships; and he was blessed to experience all of that. With his dear friends John traveled, fished, bicycled many miles in a day, sang with beautiful harmonies, celebrated birthdays and marked deaths, played table games of all sorts, and ate ice cream. In moments alone, he relished music, books and puzzles.

John loved to travel. He frequently commented that, as a boy in Garden City, Missouri, he could never have imagined that he would have an opportunity to travel so widely. South Korea became a profoundly significant place for him, and thus for the entire family, with many enduring friendships. Alaska was also dear to his heart: he worked on the railroad as a gandy dancer in 1956, three years before Alaska became a state; and made multiple return visits. John enjoyed many travels throughout the U.S. and the world.

He cared deeply about the world and its peoples, and that all live together in peace and love. Grateful for his Anabaptist heritage and his church community, and for the inspiration to live with respect and understanding for all, he summed up his theology as “God is Love”. Indeed, this is how he lived. John leaves us a legacy of love in action, warm kindness, curiosity and learning.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 27, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at College Mennonite Church. On Wednesday, May 28, 10:30 am, a memorial service will be conducted in the sanctuary followed by a luncheon. According to John’s wishes, cremation has taken place at Yoder-Culp Crematory, with a private burial at Milford Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in John’s honor to the John and Rosemary Zook Scholarship Fund of Goshen College (for international students). Most important, in memory and in honor, John’s frequent call to action in his last weeks was “Love Everyone!”