- Van Handel, Earl J.
Earl J. Van Handel, Little Chute, age 78, beloved father and devoted grandfather/ great-grandfather died Monday, September 21, 2009, at Appleton Medical Center. He passed away after a courageous battle in the presence of his family surrounded by all of their love and support. He will be greatly missed by those he touched. We will hold in our hearts and minds all the fond memories we have of "Dad" forever. He was born in the Town of Vanden Broek on April 4, 1931, to the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Hietpas) Van Handel. Earl married Audrey Gerrits at St. Nicholas Parish in Freedom on April 22, 1952. It is comforting to know he will now be reunited with "Mom" in heaven. He was an avid outdoorsman, particularly enjoying deer hunting and fishing with family and his many friends. Earl also loved music, including playing the guitar with his band "Rhythm Vans." His favorite artists were Johnny Cash and Ernest Tubb. He retired (May 28, 1992) as a supervisor from Miller Electric after more than forty years of service.
Earl is survived by his children: Vicki (Tim) Janssen, Fremont; Gary (Deb) Van Handel, Little Chute; Debbie (Mike) Boettcher, Combined Locks; and Jackie (Marty) Wyngaard, Kimberly; grandchildren: Heidi (Mike) Nowak, Jaime (Adam) Kloehn, Scott Byrne, Jake and Jenna Janssen, Chad (friend Ricci), Brett (friend Nicole) and Troy (Pamela) Van Handel, Angie, Shane, and Jesse (Jenny) Boettcher, Nikki (fiance Tommy Harke) and Becky Wyngaard; seven great-grandchildren: sisters and brother: Martha Woldt, Ann Paalman, Barb (Gene) Sprague and Ray (Marge) Van Handel; brothers and sisters-in-law: Bob (Milly), Don (Lillian), Lois Gerrits and Roger Gerrits, Germaine Werner, Clarice Islinger, Vernadine (Jim) Welch, Darlene (Lee) Romenesko and Don Evers; and very special friend Rosemary Kramer, whose friendship and companionship he truly cherished. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; father and mother-in-law, John and Geraldine Gerrits; step mother-in-law, Loretta Gerrits; brothers and sisters: Ed (Blanche) and Cora Van Handel, Josephine (Martin) Van Asten and four siblings that passed away at an early age; brothers and sister-in-law: Ray Woldt, Joe Paalman, Ronald Peterson, Gene Gerrits, Jerome Werner, Frank Islinger and Elaine Evers.
Visitation will be held at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 S. Pine St. Little Chute) on Thursday September 24, 2009, beginning at 2 p.m. until time of Mass at 5 p.m. The Rev. James Hablewitz will officiate. Committal St. John Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.oconnellfuneral services.com.
We would like to thank the staff in the Collaborative Care Unit at AMC and a special thank-you to Dr. Swanson. The Family of Earl Van Handel
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1931 - 2009 (78 years)
Obituary
