Van Gorp, Franklin

VAN GORP, LUBBERDEN, LECOCQ, PALS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 16:45:32

Funeral services for Franklin Van Gorp, 97, of Pella, who died Jan. 8, were held Jan. 12 at the Second Reformed Church in Pella. Rev. Steve Mathonnet-Vander Well, officiated with Rev. Eldon Hio Pals, assisting. Kris De Wild was organist and Tom Waechter was soloist.

Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella.

Casket bearers were Arie W. Boot , Harry (Buck) Hicklin, Marvin Kooyman, Bill Peters, Gerald Van Houweling and Martin (Buck) Visser. Honorary bearers were Kenneth Kooyman, Marvin Tysseling, Elmer Van Maaren, John R. Van Zee, Harold Ver Meer and John P. Ver Meer.

Franklin Van Gorp was born on October 28, 1906 on a farm northeast of Pella to Jacob F. and Mattie Lubberden Van Gorp. Better known as "Hap," short for Happy, he received his formal education at the Richland Township Country Grade School Hap started United Paint & Body Shop. Due to a business building change, Hap was forced to move his business to another location, the Garden City Feeder Building.

He was united in marriage with Frances Jean LeCocq Pals on Sept. 30, 1933.

In 1957 the transition was made from a job shop to a manufacturing firm and they were incorporated as Van Gorp Manufacturing Company. In 1975 the company was sold to Emerson Electric. In 1983 he was named the recipient of the Eleventh Community Service Award.

Hap is survived by two sisters-in-law: Viola (LeCocq) Potts of Eldon, Iowa and Bernice (Charles Louis) Le Cocq of Spencer, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Frances J. (LeCocq) Van Gorp; his parents, Jacob F. and Mattie Van Gorp; his sister, Janella and her husband, Ralph Hayes; two sisters-in-law: Margaret Le Cocq; Elma and her husband, Dr. Herman C. Vander Meulen; and a brother-in-law, Charles Louis LeCocq.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the Good Samaritan Fund at Fair Haven in Pella.

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

The Pella Chronicle, January 22, 2004