Richard Vonk
Richard Vonk, 88, of Lambs Grove died Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Newton Union Cemetery in Newton with Chaplain Merle Smith of Skiff Medical Center officiating. The family will greet friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. Burial will be at Newton Union Cemetery in Newton.
Memorials to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association may be left at the funeral home.
The son of Cornelius “Case” and Nellie (Van Holland) Vonk, Richard was born Feb. 27, 1921, in Otley, Iowa. On Oct. 14, 1950, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Jenamann in Dubuque, Iowa. Richard grew up in Otley and was a longtime resident of Newton.
Richard attended school in Otley and worked as a supervisor in porcelain at the Maytag Company for 38 years, retiring in 1984. He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, and he was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and the Last Man’s Club. Richard also went to McDonald’s every morning for several years to have coffee with friends.
Richard enjoyed fishing, traveling, music, hunting mushrooms, going out to eat, spending time with his grandkids, gardening — especially tomatoes — and talking with friends.
Richard is survived by three sons, Richard C. Vonk of Jacksonville, Fla., Robert Vonk of Montezuma and Rodger Vonk of Newton; a daughter, Raeleen Vonk (and Steve Catlett) of Newton; seven grandchildren, Kim Batterson, Kristopher Vonk, Casey Vonk, Erick Vonk, Davis Vonk, Darien Vonk and Stacy Vonk; two great-grandchildren, Parker Vonk and Kallen Gifford; three sisters, Evelena Van De Wege, Effie Robson and Cora Terpstra; and a special friend, Gladys Weaver.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother, Gertrude; his wife, Lorraine; and nine brothers and sisters, Case, Tunis, Jennie, Rena, Margaret, Gertrude, Nellie, Minnie and Jeanette.
