Van Buskirk, Roland A. 1930-2008

VAN BUSKIRK, WESTERGARD, VAN DUSER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/13/2008 at 20:04:18

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, October 13, 2008

Roland A. Van Buskirk, 78, of Montgomery, Ill., died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at Hillside Rehabilitation and Care Center.

He was born Sept. 10, 1930, in Ireton, the son of the late William and Anna (Westergard) Van Buskirk.

Roland worked on his family's farm at rural Ireton and served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserves from 1952 until 1955 before moving to Aurora, Ill., in 1956. He worked for 36 years as a laborer and foreman for Geneva Construction Company before retiring in 1993. He was a proud member of the Midwest Operating Engineers Local #150 for over 50 years.

Roland was an avid bowler and participated in leagues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. He was also a member of the Tiger Club, Third Ward Club and the Phoenix Club.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Florence (Van Duser); their two children, Christine and her husband Darryl Hoelscher of Joliet, Ill., and Ann and her husband Joseph Cheladyn of DeKalb, Ill.; and three grandchildren, Emma and Zachary Hoelscher and Joseph Cheladyn. Also surviving are his sister, Shirley Bockelman of Hawarden; brother, Lloyd and his wife Carol Van Buskirk of Sioux City; brother-in-law, Alvin Van Duser of Hudson, Fla.; sister-in-law, Lauretta Van Buskirk of Le Mars; a special cousin, Leona Thode of Aurora, Ill., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Roland was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, Jesse and William and three sisters, Hazel, Helen and Charlotte.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at The Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Place, Aurora, with Pastor Janet Hunt officiating. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Healy Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hillside Rehabilitation and Care Center, 1308 Game Farm Rd., Yorkville, Ill. 60560 or to Golden Diners c/o The Salvation Army, 1031 E. State St., Geneva, Ill. 60134.