JP Auction Service is the fulfillment of a childhood dream for John Petroelje. An agricultural up-bringing provided the basis for John’s strong work ethic but it also exposed him to the country auction as a boy. For him an auction was a special time with his dad, maybe a snack from the food table, and a chance to listen to the auctioneer’s fascinating chant. These special times ignited a desire in him to be an auctioneer.
Positive fuel was added to that flame of desire when he attended Reppert School of Auctioneering in December of 1982, to learn the business side of the auction industry. He needed little schooling in developing his chant for he had spent many hours “selling” hay bales as they came out of the baler, while helping his dad bale hay.
John booked his first auction the spring of 1983 and since then the company has grown from a part time hobby into a full time occupation. Over the years the company has expanded their expertise to include the sale of real estate and appraisal work. The growth of the company is due to the integrity, honesty and hard work of all involved along with the many satisfied clients that have promoted JP Auction Service over the years.
A successful Auction company needs more than just a great auctioneer and JP Auction Service is rounded out and perfected with the involvement of many family members & friends. John’s wife, Brenda is the cashier and book keeper. She attended Davenport College studying Accounting and Data Processing, worked at Ottawa Savings Bank, and kept the books for her dad’s tool & die business. These combined prepared her well for the job of cashier and book keeper for the auction business. She became a realtor after their children grew up so that we can help clients with the sale of their house also. Jack Koeman, the clerk, is really “Uncle Jack” to John, still will fill in from time to time but now John’s Brother, Dan has taken over the clerking position. Zach, John & Brenda’s son, started out at a young age running clerking sheet, from the clerk to the cashier, as he grew he became a ring man, and was even pushed into auctioneering on a few occasions, he now is serving our country in the United States Air Force. April & Amber, twin daughters of John & Brenda, started out running clerking sheets, then they took over running the lunch counter and also helped with registration, cashiering, and ringing. Now April is a Massage Therapist and Amber is a world traveler while working on large yachts. Their youngest daughter, Heather, still will be seen running clerking sheet. As John is getting a little older, Jared Rozema, a younger auctioneer has began to fill in to give John a break, he is also helpful with set-up and his wife, Melissa, helps Brenda with cashiering. Brenda’s sister Cheryl, will also help out with cashiering when Melissa is not available. There are others that help with ringing and helping clients load items.