Vander Wilt, Ray 1814-2002

VANDER WILT, KLYN, MATHEWS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2005 at 21:44:02

PELLA - Ray Vander Wilt, 87, of Pella, died Monday, Oct. 7, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

His funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Second Reformed Church in Pella, the Revs. Steve and Sophie Mathonnet-Vander Well officiating. Private burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Pella. Memorials: Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Visiting hours are open today at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella, with family present 6:30-8 p.m.

Raymond Paul Vander Wilt was born Oct. 12, 1914, near Pella to Gerrit G. and Dena M. Klyn Vander Wilt. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Pella High School in 1932. He enjoyed sports and playing football, and was a member of the North End Bell Ringers. As a young man he helped his father on the farm, working a horse team.

On Aug. 22, 1934, he married Ruby Maxine Mathews in Pella. He worked at the Diamond Coal Co. until 1944, when he established Vander Wilt Dairy Co., which he operated until 1956. He and his partner, Andrew Hoeksema, built homes in and around Pella for over 20 years.

Ray loved to farm, and last week harvested beans. He and Ruby enjoyed traveling. Ruby died July 20, 1989. Ray enjoyed coffee time with friends downtown, and served on the Park Bench Board. He was a lifetime member of Second Reformed Church. He enjoyed building windchimes, working in his garden, and making various kinds of jam. He loved the color red, and enjoyed his Allis-Chalmers antique tractors, and his dog and companion, Buffy.

He is survived by his three children and spouses: Dolores and Dwight Young of Pella, Karen and Keith Blom of Pella, and Donald and Doris Smith Vander Wilt of Pella; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law: Eva Mae and Clark Vande Pol of Blakesburg; and a sister-in-law, Wilma Neely of Pleasantville.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; his parents; five brothers: Clarence, Andrew, Lewis, Marion and Lester Vander Wilt; and three sisters: Jeanette Groenendyk, Dorothy Vander Wilt and Wilma Vander Meer.

The Oskaloosa Herald, October 9, 2002