Van Es, James L. 1950-2006

VAN ES, STARKENBURG, DRUEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/31/2006 at 19:48:31

GRINNELL -- James L. Van Es, 56, of Grinnell died of amyloidosis Friday, April 21, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Grinnell Christian Church with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Burial will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell after noon Tuesday, and the family will be present at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Christian Church, the Hope Ministries Door of Faith or to KSKB Christian Radio and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell 50112.

The son of Arnold and Angeline (Starkenburg) Van Es, he was born Jan. 21, 1950, in Orange City. He was raised in Boyden and graduated from Boyden-Hull High School in 1968. In 1972, he received a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and mathematics from Northwestern College in Orange City and later received a master's degree from St. Scholastica College in Duluth, Minn.

On Oct. 28, 1972, he married Phyllis Rachel Kreun in Chandler, Minn. Following their marriage the couple lived in Orange City while he student taught in Sibley. They moved to Grinnell and he began his teaching and coaching career in Lynnville-Sully School District. He taught junior high math and coached football and basketball in the Searsboro school facility. In 1980, he managed Porter Recreation in Grinnell, and he later worked for Marshalltown Office Supply and was a sales representative for Apple Computers. In the mid-1980s, he returned to education and currently was teaching eighth grade mathematics at Berg Middle School in Newton.

Mr. Van Es was a member of the Grinnell Christian Church and past president of the Grinnell Country Club and the Grinnell Jaycees. He was currently the team leader at Berg Middle School.

He was a fan of the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco Giants.

Survivors include his wife; his parents of Sheldon; a brother and sister-in-law, Duane and Mary Van Es of Boyden; a sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Laryl DeWild of Boyden; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Ruby Kreun of Chandler, Minn.; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Jenny Van Es and John and Lydia Starkenburg.

The Newton Daily News, April 25, 2006