Vlieger, William, 1920-1975

VLIEGER, VANDERTUIG

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/13/2011 at 10:35:08

MR. WILLIAM VLIEGER
Born: July 31, 1920, Orange City, Iowa
Died: October 8, 1975, Sioux Center, Iowa
Services at the Vander Ploeg Chapel at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center, Iowa.
Arrangements: Vander Ploeg’s Funeral Home, Sioux Center, IA.
Burial in The Memory Gardens Cemetery on Saturday, October 11, 1975.
Bill Vlieger passed away Wednesday afternoon in Sioux Center as the result of an accident suffered while at work. He had reached the age of 55 years. On August 17, 1948, in Sheldon, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Vander Tuig who now survives. To this union four children were born: Judy, Mrs. Michael Crane of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mary, Mrs. Steve De Jong of Holland, Michigan; William Jr. at home and a senior in high school; and Jo Ann in the seventh grade. He is also survived by one grandchild, Stacy Marie, and the following brothers and sisters: Lora, Mrs. William Korver of Maurice, Iowa; Margaret, Mrs. Harold Hop of Gold Hill, Oregon; James Vlieger and Harold Vlieger both of Maurice; John Vlieger of Beliflower, California; and Mrs. Ella Mae Vande Burgt of Hull, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister. His passing is mourned by many friends and relatives.
Source: Vander Ploeg’s Funeral Home, Sioux Center, IA. obit.

Fumes take one life, hospitalize 2nd man, here on October 8
Funeral services were held at the First Reformed church here at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct.11, forWilliam Vlieger, 55, manager of the Farmers Cooperative Society elevator here for the past 15 years and a resident of the community for 20 years, who died about 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Oct.8, when he was overcome by toxic fumes in a buttermilk pit at the elevator which he was examining preliminary to launching cleanup operations in the pit (scheduled for that evening). The pit had not been used for 18 weeks.
Vlieger was pronounced dead by a local doctor upon being removed from the pit by local firemen and EMT personnel. Death was said to have been caused by asphyxiation. An autopsy was held.
Another local man, Stan Feekes, 27, who had entered the pit in an attempt to rescue Vlieger, was also knocked out by the lethal fumes in the pit.He was lying on his back, with his feet hung in the second-f rom-the-bottom rung of the pit, ladder, when rescue efforts were launched. Firemen used a 15 ft. pike pole to retrieve both men from the pit, by slipping a hook on the pole under their belts and then using sheer man muscle to make the long lift up through the manhole, the only entrance to the pit. Because of the gas fumes, it was considered too risky to send another rescuer into the pit. One fireman was partially lowered through the manhole, while others held securely onto him, as he used the pike pole to make the retrieve. There were 6 to 8 inches of semi-solid whey in the bottom of the pit.
Feekes, though unconscious when removed from the pit, had faint life
signs and EMT personnel and firemen rendered on-the-spot artificial resuscitation and heart massage for several minutes before placing him in the ambulance and rushing him to the local hospital, as several EMTs continued to work over him. A short time later he was transferred to the intensive care unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sioux City. His condition was described for a time as "critical" but he is given a good chance for normal recovery. His liver function was impaired (at least for a time) but otherwise his progress was described as "as well as can be expected".
Funeral services for Vlieger were conducted by the Rev. Jack Boerigter and burial was in Memory Gardens Cemetery here under the direction of Vander Ploeg’s Funeral Home.
Mr. Vlieqer was born in Orange City July 31, 1920. He married Sylvia Vander Tuig August 17, 1948 at Sheldon.
The family had resided in Sioux Center for the past 20 years.He taught veteran ag classes here for a time and the past 15 years had served as manager of the Farmers Co-operative elevator.
Survivors include the widow; a son, William, at home; three daughters, Jo Ann, at home, Mrs. Michael (Judy) Crane of Sioux Falls and Mrs.Steve (Mary) De Young of Holland, Mich.; one granddaughter, Stacy Crane; three brothers, James and Harold, both of Maurice, and John of Bellflower,Calif. and three sisters, Mrs. William (Laura) Korver of Maurice, Mrs. Harold (Margaret) Hop of Gold Hill, Ore., and Mrs Ella Vande Burgt of Hull.
Source: Sioux Center News after Oct 8, 1975