Van't Hul, Darrell Lee (son of Lawrence), died 1968 age 8

VANTHUL, DEBOOM

Posted By: Lydia Lucas-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/3/2011 at 23:11:36

DARRELL VAN'T HULL, 8, DROWNS IN SANDPIT 3 [MILES] WEST OF TOWN

The Rock Valley community was shocked last weekend by news of the drowning of little Darrell Lee Van't Hul, 8-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence B. Van't Hul. The boy wandered away from his farm home at about 5 Friday afternoon [March 8] and his parents became concerned when he hadn't returned home at dusk. They searched the area for several hours and an investigation of the sandpit about a quarter of a mile from their home revealed a hole in the rotted ice. They called the Rock Valley fire department at about 9 p.m.

A number of local men assisted the fire department on the scene. When it became apparent that someone, or something, had indeed gone through the ice, Geo. Keizer, Jim Van Berkum and Harold Van Berkum went back to town to get a duck boat. The two Van Berkum's rowed to the narrow peninsula of ice still left on the pit and found the body of the boy floating in the vicinity of the hole. Most of the pit was open water at the time of the tragedy.

Funeral services were held at the First Christian Reformed Church Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. Leonard Van Drunen officiating and Porter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Music was provided by the third and fifth grade pupils of the Christian school, where Darrell was a top third grader. Interment was in Valley View Cemetery.

Darrell is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence B. Van't Hul, two sisters, Glenda and Judy, his grandmother, Mrs. Gertrude Van't Hul of Rock Valley and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arie De Boom of Sioux Center.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, March 14, 1968.

The obituary includes photographs of Darrell and of the sandpit.