October
28,
1935
28,
1935
December
26,
2017
26,
2017
George A. VanPelt, 82, of Sandwich, IL, in his words, “went to meet his maker,” on December 26, 2017, at his home. He was born October 28, 1935 in Polk County Wisconsin, to Leslie and Magdalene Remley VanPelt. He attended country grade school and while a freshman at Frederic High School contracted polio and was treated at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis. After graduating from Frederic High School in 1954 he attended vocational school in Superior, WI where he took classes in accounting. In 1955 he married Joanne Peterson in Wisconsin. The couple moved to Aurora, IL where he took a job in the sales department of Lyon Metal Products in Montgomery, where he worked for the next 42 years. The couple moved to Sandwich in 1957 where they raised five children. George enjoyed caring for and playing with his children. He coached Little League, worked with the Sandwich Sports Boosters, and took the family on many trips to northern Wisconsin. He enjoyed golfing with co-workers and was an avid fisherman and Green Bay Packer fan. A motto he lived by was.. “Throughout my life I’ve faced adversity, but it has taught me a valuable lesson. If you get knocked down, you have two choices: lie there and be defeated or get up stronger for the experience. I have always chosen to get up.”
He is survived by his wife Joanne, of 62 years; his children Karen Koerner of Oakdale CT, Sharon Adkins of Sandwich, Allen Diane VanPelt of Sandwich, and Roger Lori VanPelt of Sandwich; 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; a sister, Rose DuWayne Wiberg of Siren, WI, a brother, Phillip Ligia VanPelt of Seaside, CA, and many nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his parents, seven sisters and four brothers, a daughter, Wanda, and a great granddaughter Alana.
Visitation will be at Salem Lutheran Church 1022 North Main St. in Sandwich, IL on Saturday, January 13, 2018 beginning at 9:00 AM with the funeral to follow at 11:00. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, The American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Arrangement were entrusted to Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home in Sandwich, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go online to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home
606 E. Arnold Road
Sandwich, IL 60548
815 786-2165
He is survived by his wife Joanne, of 62 years; his children Karen Koerner of Oakdale CT, Sharon Adkins of Sandwich, Allen Diane VanPelt of Sandwich, and Roger Lori VanPelt of Sandwich; 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; a sister, Rose DuWayne Wiberg of Siren, WI, a brother, Phillip Ligia VanPelt of Seaside, CA, and many nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his parents, seven sisters and four brothers, a daughter, Wanda, and a great granddaughter Alana.
Visitation will be at Salem Lutheran Church 1022 North Main St. in Sandwich, IL on Saturday, January 13, 2018 beginning at 9:00 AM with the funeral to follow at 11:00. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, The American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choosing. Arrangement were entrusted to Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home in Sandwich, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go online to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com
Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home
606 E. Arnold Road
Sandwich, IL 60548
815 786-2165
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