John Gebhart Huisinga, age 79, passed away on April 29, 2026, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, Illinois. He was born on January 1, 1947, at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Illinois, to John Gebhart Huisinga Sr. and Hilma Sophia (Bowdre) Huisinga, both of whom preceded him in death.
John was a 1965 graduate of Deland-Weldon High School. In January 1966, he was drafted into the United States Army. After graduating at the top of his class at Fort Lee, Virginia, he was stationed in Grossauheim, Germany, near Hanau, where he served as a Quartermaster Clerk from 1966 to 1967. Following his service, he returned home to the family farm southwest of Weldon, where he dedicated his life to farming. He retired from active farming in 2012 but continued to manage the family farm for many years thereafter.
From 1969 through the late 1970s, John owned and operated a dealership specializing in erecting grain bins and maintaining their electrical systems. A self-taught electrician, he was widely respected for his skill, ingenuity, and strong work ethic.
John attended Shiloh Methodist Church and held a deep appreciation for lifelong learning. He loved history and enjoyed traveling to historic sites, always eager to expand his knowledge. He believed one should never stop learning and regularly pursued new skills and interests, while encouraging creativity and curiosity in those around him.
On a warm August day in 1996, John married Patricia Ann (Krause) Huisinga at the family farm, beginning a life filled with shared adventures and meaningful traditions. Together, they traveled to many beloved destinations, including Mackinac Island, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs, Tennessee, Cape Canaveral, and the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. They especially cherished their annual anniversary trips to Hannibal, Missouri, for riverboat cruises, as well as attending ham radio festivals whenever possible.
John found his greatest joy in his family, especially his grandchildren. His many hobbies reflected both his curiosity and craftsmanship, including piloting Piper airplanes, amateur radio operation, coin collecting, woodworking, building and engineering projects, model railroad trains, and nature watching.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Ann (Krause) Huisinga; his children, Holly Hoover and Heather (William) Huisinga-Castle; and later in life, he was blessed with Pamela Krause, Jeffrey Krause, and Jessica (Wiley) Shott. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Carly Rei Hoover, Alice Hoover, Sophia Rose Castle, Amber, Sheila, and Collin Castle, and Sean Shott; his sisters, Bea (Jerry) Bellman, Janet (Larry) Snodgrass, and Joyce (David) Patterson; four great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hilma Huisinga; father and mother-in-law Edward and Gladys Duggan; his brother, Jerry, and his sister, Jean Huisinga; and his son-in-law, Arthur Hoover.
Visitation will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at Calvert Funeral Home in Clinton, Illinois.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the John G. Huisinga, Jr. Memorial Fund c/o Patricia Huisinga.  Contributions will be shared with two local fire departments that faithfully served John and his family in recent years.
John will be remembered as a man of curiosity, generosity, and quiet determination. He believed deeply in making the world a better place for everyone—a conviction he lived out through his work, his relationships, and his lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com