Phillip Mastbergen

EVINK, FYKSTRA, VAN OORT, VAN MEETEREN

Posted By: Roger Miller (email)
Date: 6/28/2016 at 17:47:42

Phillip Mastbergen
Phillip Mastbergen, age 77, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral Services will be Monday, June 27, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. Rev. Luke Wynja officiating.

Burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 26, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. with the family present from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service in Sheldon.

Phillip Mastbergen, son of William and Marie (Evink) Mastbergen, was born on March 25, 1939 in Sheldon, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to California. In a few years, he returned with his family to Iowa and attended school in Newkirk and Sheldon. As a youth, he enjoyed living on the farm and helping his dad.
In 1958, Phil was injured in a car accident which left him paralyzed. After a few years of rehabilitation, he attended the Bulova School of Watchmaking in New York. While there, he qualified for the 1964 Para-Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He won a silver medal for the United States in table tennis.
Phil also had an interest in fast pitch softball and coached the Mouw Den Hartog Fast Pitch Team in the 1970’s. His involvement with the team was a highlight for him.
He began his jewelry and watchmaking career at Harold’s Jewelry in Hartley, Iowa. In 1965, he opened Mastbergen Jewelry in Sheldon. He was a successful business man for 39 years until he retired in 2004, when he sold his business.
Throughout his life, Phil overcame many challenges including his car accident, being robbed at gunpoint during the Mastbergen Jewelry robbery in 1987, and a major heart surgery in 2003.
His family and friends were very important to him. He was an inspiration to many others as an example of someone who never gave up when challenged with adversity. He didn’t focus on his disability, but instead his ability to achieve and be independent.
He passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Those left to cherish his memories are 3 sisters, Marcella Fykstra of Sheldon, IA, Sharon (Vern) Van Oort of Doon, IA, Linda Van Meeteren of Sheldon, IA and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marie Mastbergen and 2 brothers-in-law, Wendell Fykstra and David Van Meeteren.