Harmeling, John 1927-2001

HARMELING, WALFOORT, VANDERWAL

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/10/2005 at 21:58:30

PELLA - John Harmeling, 74, of Pella, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, at his home.

His memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Second Reformed Church in Pella, the Revs. Steve and Sophie Mathonnet-Vander Well officiating. Private burial: Oakwood Cemetery in Pella preceding the service. Memorials: Second Reformed Church Van Fund. Visiting hours at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella are open today, with family present 6:30-8:30 p.m.

John Walfoort Harmeling was born Feb. 24, 1927, in Oostburg, Wis., to Chester William and Winifred Jean Walfoort Harmeling. He attended Baldwin Public Schools in Baldwin, Wis., and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1945.

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on Jan. 23, 1946. After his experience in the service, he attended Central College in Pella for two years, then transferred to the Chicago College of Medical Technology, where he graduated in 1951.

On June 14, 1952, he married Ruth Joan Vanderwal in Montezuma. His first job after school was with Loring Hospital in Sac City, where he eventually became administrator. They lived in Sac City until 1960. He then became first head administrator of Pella Community Hospital, where he spent the rest of his career.
He was instrumental in the hospital's growth and vitality. He retired in 1992 after 32 years there.

He enjoyed western-themed books, and working in Pella's historical miniature village. In August 1998 he was diagnosed with an abdominal aneurysm; he had surgery to repair it, but never fully recovered his health. In April 1999 he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

He was active in Pella Historical Society, Blue Cross Advisory Board, Kiwanis, Rotary, Jaycees, board of review for Boy Scouts where he also served as Webelo leader, Red Rock Lake Association where he served as president, Iowa Hospital Association, American Legion Post No. 89, Stephen Ministries and Hospice of Pella. He was a member of Second Reformed Church in Pella, where he served as an elder and deacon.

He is survived by his wife, Jo; a son, three daughters and spouses: Bart and Sue Harmeling of Palmer, Alaska, Beth and Lance Seyer of Apple Valley, Wash., Jenny and Randy Messer of Norwalk, and Ann and Dave Class of Wasilla, Alaska; 12 grandchildren; a sister, Lois Mulder of Oostburg, Wis.; his mother-in-law, Gertrude Van Houweling Vanderwal of Pella; and Jo's sisters and a brother-in-law: Trudy Claman of Minneapolis, Minn., and Bob and Alice Hawley of Clear Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Jim Mulder.

The Oskaloosa Herald, August 17, 2001