Vande Voort, Larry Gene 1942-2014

VANDE VOORT, DIELEMAN, VAN WYK, OLIVIER, STEENHOEK, HARTHOORN, VOS, WEHRLE, VAN GORP, KRAMER, DE GOEY, BRAND, VAN KOOTEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/6/2014 at 08:00:19

Larry Vande Voort

A funeral service for Larry Vande Voort, 71, of Sully will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Sully Christian Reformed Church.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. today, April 30, at the church with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. ~ The Newton (IA) Daily News.
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Larry Vande Voort Nov 13, 1942 - Apr 28, 2014
Sully, Iowa
(Age 71)

Larry Gene Vande Voort was born November 13, 1942 to Everett and Harriet (Dieleman) Vande Voort in Newton, Iowa. He was the youngest of six children. Larry graduated from Sully Christian School and Lynnville-Sully High School. He was a graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Larry served 2 years in the U.S. army 82nd Airborne Division. Although jumping out of airplanes was not something he wanted to do for the rest of his life, flying airplanes was his desire. He began taking flying lessons after his discharge from the service. He soon got his pilot's license and was able to take Carolyn on "flying dates."

He worked for the Jasper County Road Maintenance Department for several years and then worked 28 years for the City of Sully as Public Works Director and Police Chief. He also served as a Jasper County Special Deputy. After retiring from the city, Larry joined the staff working along side his son at Classic Aviation as a Certified Flight Instructor. He loved instructing and was privileged to fly as co-pilot in a Citation and Beechjet. One of the highlights in his aviation career was being chosen to fly the Flag to Kitty Hawk with his son, Shane, on the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight.

On April 5, 2013, Larry suffered a stroke that paralyzed his left side. After a 3 month hospital stay and much therapy, Larry was able to return to his job at the airport. His first "job" each morning was getting his grandson David off to school. On March 11, 2014, Larry was diagnosed with several malignant brain tumors. He courageously fought this battle undergoing brain surgery and one round of chemo treatments. Larry left his earthly home on April 28 at the age of 71 years, 5 months and 15 days.

Larry was a faithful member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church where he had served as deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also served on the Sully Christian School Board. Larry was an EMT and served many years on the Sully Volunteer Fire Deptartment

Larry's hobbies include flying, motorcycling, taking walks, going to garage sales and reading, especially books written by John MacArthur. A favorite past time was spending time with his precious grandchildren.

On November 22, 1967, Larry was united in marriage to Carolyn Van Wyk. She survives him along with his 3 children and their spouses, Shawn and Tammy Vande Voort of Sully, Duane and Nicole Olivier of Sully and Shane and Megan Vande Voort of Pella. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren, David and Danica Olivier and Sullivan and Meyer Vande Voort. He is also survived by one brother, Ron of Pella and 3 sisters, Chris (Gerrit) Steenhoek, Lois Harthoorn and Lucille Vos, all of Pella.
Brother and sister-in laws surviving are Gertrude Wehrle of Grinnell, Eldred and Grace Van Gorp of Newton, Ron and June Kramer of Pella, Arvin and Anna Mae Van Wyk of Pella, Carl and Joyce De Goey of Newton, Harris and Darlene Vos of Newton, Verlan and Helen Brand of Grinnell and Ed and Judy Van Kooten of Sully and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, one sister, Louise, four brother-in laws, Walter Van Wyk, Melvin Harthoorn, Ron Vos, Raymond Wehrle, and two sister-in-laws Jan Vande Voort and Harriet Van Wyk. ~ The Garden Chapel Funeral Home, Pella/Sully, Iowa.