DeCook, Richard (Dick J. ) abt 1894-1961

DECOOK, MUILENBURG, VANBERKUM

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg (email)
Date: 7/24/2016 at 19:04:38

Sioux County Capital July 27, 1961

Tragedy struck a triple blow this week, as three members of an Orange City family died of injuries sustained in a vacation trip automobile accident.
Dead are: RICHARD "DICK" DE COOK. 67, killed instantly in the accident; RUTH VAN BERKUM, 18, granddaughter of the De Cooks', who died Sunday at a Kirksville, Mo., hospital; Mrs. RICHARD DE COOK. (Mae) 66, who died late Tuesday evening at the Kirksville hospital. The driver and only other occupant of the car was Douglas VanBerkum, brother of Glenda, who was not seriously injured.
Returned to the Orange City hospital Monday, he was expected to be discharged Wednesday
morning.

According to investigators, the mishap occurred when the De Cook car attempted to pass
a truck and met an oncoming vehicle head-on. The four were on their way to visit the De Cooks' son-in- law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ekdom at Columbia, Mo., when the accident occurred near Kirksville, Mo. Mr. Ekdom, a Northwestern college faculty member, is currently taking a summer course at the University of Missouri.

Mrs. Ekdom is the only survivor of the De Cook's. Survivors of Glenda Ruth are the father, Alvin Van Berkum of Orange City, her stepmother and brother, Douglas. The De Cook family resided on a farm northwest of Orange City until a number of years ago when they moved to Orange City.
* * *
Triple funeral services were held for the three latest accident victims Wednesday afternoon, at the Reformed church, Dr. Raymond Van Heukelom, pastor and Dr. Henry Colenbrander, retired
pastor, officiated, and inter merit of all three was in the Middleburg cemetery.

Pallbearers for Mr. De CooK were John R. Vander Zwaag John Mulder, Gerald Mullenburg, Ryndert De Groot Howard Van Oort and Dick ____. for Mrs. De Cook, Arie J. Bomgaars, John J. Bomgaars. Arie M. Bomgaars, Gary Verrips, John N. Bomgaars and Arie N. Bomeaars. Bearers for Miss Van Berkum were Donald Rowenhorst, Virgil Muilenburg, Allen Schimmel, John Muilenburg Donald Jiskoot and Henry Veldhuis.

Complete obituaries of the three will be published in next week's Capital. (Those were not found as there was no issue for Aug 3, 1961 on line.)