Van Engen, James 1934-2015

VAN ENGEN, LEVERING, ELGERSMA

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/14/2015 at 13:07:13

Rock Valley, IA: James “Jim” Van Engen, 80, of Rock Valley, Iowa died Monday, February 23, 2015 at Pleasant Acres in Hull, Iowa. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Rev. Stanley Groothof officiating. The funeral service will also be webcast at www.trinitycrc.com/connect/watch-online. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2015 at Porter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Hope Haven. Condolences for the family may be left online at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Jim was born October 1, 1934 in Doon, Iowa to Fred and Ann (Levering) Van Engen. Jim graduated from Western Christian High School in 1952. He was enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954 and was later honorably discharged in 1956. On October 19, 1955, Jim was united in marriage to Janice Elgersma in Sanborn, Iowa. Together they made their home in Rock Valley, Iowa where Jim owned J&J Lockers for 23 years. They later moved to Escondido, California where Jim worked for a cement company for 6 years and then moved to Visalia, California where Jim worked as a custodian for 9 years at Central Valley Christian. They retired back to Rock Valley in 1999. Jim enjoyed playing golf, spending time with family and friends, was a charter member of Trinity Christian Reformed Church and longtime member of Valley Male Chorus.

Jim is survived by his 3 sons, Randall Van Engen of Rock Valley, Ken (Connie) Van Engen of Kansas City, Missouri, and their children, Reid Van Engen and Mitchell Van Engen; Kevin (Bonnie) Van Engen of Hull, Iowa, and their children, Meagan (Alex) Driesen, Brandon (Ashley) Van Engen, Tyler Van Engen, and Caitlin Van Engen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ann Van Engen; wife, Janice; infant son, Craig; brother, Harv (Nell) Van Engen; and sister, Mill (John) Otten.

Source: Porter Funeral Homes online obituary.