Name: Visitation for Reginald Van Eekeren
Start: 2014-06-23T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2014-06-24T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Williams-Kampp Funeral Home

Reginald Van Eekeren (Ron Vanee), 70, went to eternal rest on Sunday June 15, 2014. He was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He will be dearly missed. Ron was born on May 23, 1944 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the youngest of five children. After immigrating to Chicago in 1948, Ron attended St. Domitilla Grade School, St. Philips High School, and graduated from Lewis University. Ron married Mary Ingevaldson in 1966 and shortly thereafter they moved to Wheaton to raise their family. He spent many years coaching and volunteering at St. James the Apostle Catholic School in Glen Ellyn. Ron joined his father Joseph and brother Al at the Vanee Foods Company shortly after college where he worked to help grow a small family business with three employees into a vibrant, growing enterprise with a current staff of three hundred. Without the effort and energy of Ron, there would not be a Vanee Foods Company today. He was widely respected and beloved by many in the food manufacturing industry. The many lifelong friends he made during his working years are a testament to his character. While his life's work was helping build Vanee Foods Company, his true passion in his life was his love for his three kids and his nine grandchildren. He split his time between Tucson and Chicago, to be with all his grandchildren so he could regularly attend all of their school activities and athletic events to cheer them on. He was their biggest fan, and cherished each and every one of them. Ron made friends everywhere he went. His many friends in both the Tucson and Chicago area will recall stories of the times they spent with him for years to come with laughter, a big smile and a few tears. He is survived by his children, Andy (Stephanie), Alex (Amy), and Amy (Sean) Johnson; his grandchildren, Jackson, Taylor, Ally, Jenna , Nick, Tyler, Jordan, Jake, and Lexi; Mary Van Eekeren; his siblings Al (Barbara), Leona Carchedi, Adriana Van Eekeren, Bernadette Bastian, and many nieces and nephews. We mourn his loss, yet we celebrate his life. He was a man with a huge heart, a generous spirit and a powerful laugh. He was one of a kind. There are no words powerful enough to express our sadness in loss nor our gratitude for his life. He will be missed, but never forgotten. Visitation Monday from 2-9 p.m. at the Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187 (one blk. east of Naperville Rd). Funeral prayers Tuesday 9:15 a.m. to Mass 10 a.m. at St. James the Apostle Church 480 S. Park, Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside. Funeral information, 630-668-0016 or www.williams-kampp.com.

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Published by The Gazette from Jun. 20 to Jun. 22, 2014.

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Amy Richardson Bourke

June 23, 2014

So sorry to hear about your family's and the community's loss.

Cindy Roberts

June 23, 2014

I loved Reggie so much! He was a kind man with a loving heart and just a good soul! My prayers are with your family during this great loss. Reggie is with his maker in eternal life. I am sure he is in heaven hanging with my Mom, Janie. They loved each other. It wasn't hard to love Reggie. God Bless.

Cindy Roberts

June 23, 2014

I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family now. We have lost a great Man. My memories of Reggie will always be fond. I will forever remember this man as a kind hearted, loving man, with a great sense of humor. I know he is hanging with my Mom and Dad now... God Bless.

Butch &Elaine Fernandez

June 21, 2014

Alex Amy and children .We are so sad to hear about the loss of Reggie. He was and is a very strong force in your lives and will br forever. The loss is never forgotten but the memories the stories and the laughter will always remain with you. Love and prayers to all of you. Butch and Elaine.

Beth Naughton

June 21, 2014

Amy, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. I hope you can find strength knowing you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bernadette Bastian

June 20, 2014

Rest in peace little brother... Bernadette

Melissa (Missy) Reese (Crnic)

June 20, 2014

Hugs to the entire VanEekeren family during this difficult time. Mr. V will always hold a special place in my heart... He was truly wonderful and one-of-a-kind. We were all blessed just by knowing him and experiencing his energy.

Jack Clinkert

June 20, 2014

What a great life. I will always remember him as my basketball coach at St. James (his passion, and humor "nine and a half!"). Now that I'm older, and coaching youth sports myself, I know how difficult and noble it is to volunteer to help children. That is a testament to his character. I didn't know him other than that, but based on the obituary, he seemed like an awesome guy, and someone I would aspire to be like (his love for his family, and his work ethic). My thoughts and prayers are with the Van Eekeren family.

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