The Shadow
Mr. Johannes (John) DeLigt, age 92, of Covington, died Monday, April 20, 2020, at his residence. He was the husband of Ann Groeneveld DeLigt.
Mr. DeLigt was born August 14, 1927 in Soerabaya, Java, Netherlands, East Indies, the son of the late Johannes and Lena DeLigt.
John was a survivor of a Japanese prison camp in Indonesia during WWII. He served in the Dutch military following the war, then repatriated back to the Netherlands, where he worked his way through technical school, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
John met and married his wife, Ann, before immigrating to the United States (Michigan) in 1956.
In, 1965, Mr. DeLigt and his family moved to Covington where he worked at Westvaco Corporation (now Westrock) as a senior research engineer for twenty-seven years before retiring. He holds thirty-two patents for his designs.
John was an active member of Edgemont ARP Church for over fifty years, having faithfully served as deacon, elder, choir member, Sunday school teacher and church treasurer. Mr. DeLigt was also a member of the Alleghany Arts Council. He enjoyed building, creating and mastering new skills. In 1978, he designed and built the first solar home in Covington.
In addition to his wife, Ann, Mr. DeLigt is survived by a son, Paul DeLigt and wife, Karen of Columbia, SC; two daughters, Helena DeLigt and husband, Rob Osborn of Richmond and Patricia Dobbs and husband, Glen of Clifton Forge; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Friday, April 24, 2020, at Alleghany Memorial Park with Rev. Donnie Bowker officiating.
The family will receive friends at the residence at any time.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Edgemont Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2306 S. Church Avenue, Covington VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
