DeJong, Gerard L. 1922-2004

DEJONG, HELMS, NOBLE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2007 at 14:11:34

HINTON, Iowa -- Gerard Lambertuse "Dutch" DeJong, 81, of Hinton died Monday, March 22, 2004, at Westwood Nursing and Rehab in Sioux City after a lingering illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hinton United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jason Gutzmer officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday in Oak Hill Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post 477 of Hinton. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

Gerard was born Oct. 6, 1922, in Hull, Sioux County, Iowa, the son of Joe and Elizabeth DeJong. He was raised and educated in Hull and Boyden, Iowa.

He was married to Wilma Helms, then to Betty Slocum. He later married Phania LaVonne "Pat" Noble on Jan. 23, 1971, in Elk Point, S.D.

He served in the U.S. Navy and entered active duty on Dec. 22, 1943, in Omaha. He was released from active duty on Jan. 21, 1946, in Norfolk, Va. His awards and decorations include the European Theater Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, American Theater Campaign Medal wit one Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Combat Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

He was an over-the-road truck driver for 33 years for Red Ball and was owner/operator for Farmers Feed and Supply. He drove for Weinrich Trucking, Ace Lines and Old Home Bakery. He retired from the trucking industry and worked in the Hinton Community School as a custodian and school bus driver for 18 years. He fully retired in 1997, due to ill health.

He was a member of United Methodist Church and served on the church board. He also was a member of the Eagles in South Sioux City and the American Legion Post 477. He loved fishing, dancing, golfing and cribbage in his leisure time. He especially loved spending time with those whom he loved. He and his wife took many trips to Branson, Mo., as he enjoyed music.

Survivors include his wife; four sons and their wives, Gary and Della of Colorado, Terry and Susan of Jefferson, S.D., Rod and Dian of Texas, and Charles and Marla Noble of Cherokee, Iowa; six daughters, Lavonne DeJong of California, Sandra and her husband, Rick Wyatt, of Iowa, Roxanne Moss and her fiance, John Schleis, of Sioux City, Rebecca and her husband, Larry VanRooyan, of Sioux City, Jeanne and her husband, Dan Plantenburg, of Sioux City and Pamela and her husband, Tom French, of Cherokee, Iowa; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a brother and his wife, Art and Margaret DeJong of Everson, Wash.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerardus DeJong and Jim DeJong; two sisters, Cornelia Osterkamp and Geneva Bennett; and his parents.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Ole Olson, Kenneth Porter, Walter "Red" Hartman, Don Broten, Scott Tiesler and Lawrence Blackmore.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]