Van Arkel, Cornelius

VAN ARKEL, VAN DEN BOLSEM, KELDERMAN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 22:02:08

Funeral services for Cornelius Van Arkel, 89, of Pella, formerly of Tracy, were held December 3 at the Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy. Pastor Al Bandstra officiated and Pastor Ike Meuzelaar assisted. Music was provided by Donna Groenendyk, pianist and a duet sung by Carrie and Christa Veenstra.

Interment was at the Bellefountaine Cemetery in Tracy. Casket bearers were Kenneth Van Arkel, Darin Van Arkel, Michael Van Arkel, Wilbur Veenstra, Joel Veenstra, Douglas Veenstra, and Bradley Veenstra.

Cornelius Jonker Van Arkel was born on March 16, 1913 in Mahaska County, southeast of Oskaloosa. He was a twin brother to Cliff who were born to Cornelius (Neal) and Bessie Suzanne Van Den Bolsem Van Arkel. Case, as he was known, grew up on farms in the Oskaloosa and Eddyville area where he attended grade school.

On February 10, 1937 he was united in marriage with Rachel Cornelia Kelderman at her parents, Gysbert (George) and Tena Hugen Kelderman, farm home near Tracy. To this union two children were born: Kenneth Eugene and Carolyn Elaine. Case and Rachel later moved to this home and remained living there where they farmed until October of 1982, when they moved into Tracy.

Then on November 26, 1982 (the day following Thanksgiving Day) Rachel passed away at the age of 67 years. Case continued to live in Tracy but went to the farm daily. A life-long resident of the Tracy community, Case became known as the self-proclaimed mayor.

Then in March of 1995 he suffered a stroke, which confined him to the Pella Community Nursing Home in Pella and to a wheelchair. The stroke took his capacity to walk, but it did not take his spirit for enjoying life and a will to make the best of where God had placed him. He continued to bring great joy to his family, the other patients, the nursing staff and anyone he met. Always with his cap on and a pocket full of candy to share with you, he was eager to greet you with a smile. His desire to laugh and have a good time will always be remembered by his family and many friends.

Case was a faithful member of the Tracy Christian Reformed Church where he had served as a deacon and an elder for many years. He always enjoyed being a part of the Tracy community. On Friday afternoon, November 29, 2002 (the day following Thanksgiving Day) Case passed away in the Long Term Care Unit of the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella where he had been a resident since May of 1995. He attained the age of 89 years, eight months and 21 days.

He is survived by his son, Kenneth Van Arkel and his wife, Connie, of Eddyville, and his daughter, Carolyn and her husband, Wilbur Veenstra of Pella; eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Case was the last surviving member of his original family and leaves just one sister-in-law, Lillian (Ralph) Van Arkel of Oskaloosa.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel; his parents: Neal and Bessie Van Arkel; his four brothers: Matt, Cliff, Ralph and Art Van Arkel, and his two sisters: Cornelia Van Arkel and Mattie (Bert) Bouwma.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the Tracy Christian Reformed Church in Tracy.

The Pella Chronicle, December 6, 2002