Chadwick Ver Ploeg

Chadwick Lee Ver Ploeg was born Oct. 10, 1928, to Dick and Agnes (Van Rees) Ver Ploeg in Pella. He passed away March 18, 2019, in Pella, at the age of 90.

In 1935, Chadwick’s family moved to a farm near Sully. He attended Battle Ridge Grade School through eighth grade. Chadwick was a charter 4-H leader of the Lynn Grove Hustlers in 1940. On Oct. 10, 1950, he was united in marriage to Irene Elscott at the First Reformed Church in Sully. One year later, Chadwick was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 13 months in Korea. He attained the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1953. After returning from Korea they settled in the Monroe area where they started farming and they were blessed with four children, Doyle Jay, Diane Sue, Darla Jean and Duane Dean. This is when Chadwick also started in sales by selling cattle oilers door-to-door, out of the back of his ’49 Chevy pickup.

They lived there until 1958, and then moved to the farm, which is now considered the family farm, southwest of Sully. In 1962, Chadwick also got into the grain bin business, which he later sold to two employees. Chadwick and Irene moved to Pella when they retired.

Chadwick was a member of the Third Reformed Church in Pella. He was also a member of the V.F.W. and the Red Rock Thrashers. Chadwick loved going to auctions, collecting and selling anything. Even at age 90, he was driving and going to the farms and Sully. Every day, he enjoyed coffee with friends at McDonalds. He adored his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his wit and generosity.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Doyle and Karna Ver Ploeg of Lynnville, Diane and Steve Vos of Sully, Darla and Ed Merwald of Marshalltown and Duane and Myrna Ver Ploeg of Newton; his grandchildren, Kristen and Jeremy Van Donselaar, Dustin and Angela Ver Ploeg, Mark and Angela Vos, Michelle and Fred Sylvia, Michael and Lindsay Merwald, Melissa Merwald, Kelsi and Bryan Vander Meiden and Jenna and Jonathon Schroeder; and his great-grandchildren, Courtney, Trisha, Leah, Bethany and Luke Van Donselaar, Isaac, Abigail and Emily Ver Ploeg, Kyra, Haley, Isabella and ClaireVos, Liam, Mason and Henry Vander Meiden and Franklin Schroeder. He is also survived by his brothers, Dick Junior (Joyce) Ver Ploeg of Sully and Wendell (Erma) Ver Ploeg of Sedona, Ariz.; and his special friend, Lois Harthoorn.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21 at the Third Reformed Church in Pella. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be given to the Jasper County Fair.