VanWilligen, Marinus 1850-1930

VANWILLIGEN, EKELMANS, BRUGMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Van Willigen, Marinus born 1850 died 31 Oct 1930 buried in Nassau tsp cemetery Alton IA.

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Alton Democrat of Nov 7, 1930

M. Van Willigen - Old Time Resident
Marinus Van Willigen known to hundreds of friends in Alton, which has been his home for the past forty years, died suddenly Saturday morning at the age of 80 years. He was returning to the house from the barn at about eight o'clock and dropped down just before reaching the steps. Mrs. Van Willigen called Art Mulder who was coming with the morning milk when she found her husband had passed on.

Mr. Willigen was born in Gelderland Netherlands in May 1850. He was married 58 years ago to Gertie Ekelma. (Ekelmans). The couple came to the USA some 40 years ago and lived for a short time at Orange City before moving to Alton where Mr. Van Williigen was for about fourteen years janitor at the public school. In recent years he continued active raising a fine garden each summer, and taking care for the daily marketing for the home. Although he could speak no English everybody knew and liked the friendly old man.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the home and First Reformed church in charge of Rev. J. R. Euwema. Nether of the old people had any immediate relatives in this country. Mrs. Van Willigens brother having recently passed on at Yakima WA.

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Marriage record lists Marinus van Willigen age 22 married Gijsbertje Ekelmans age 21 on 13 Jun 1873 in Appeltern Gelderland, His parents were Jacib van Willigen and Maria Brugman and her parents were Johannes Ekelmans and Wilhelmina Appeldoorn.