- Date Of Birth: July 9, 1935
- Date Of Death: October 27, 2017
- State: Illinois
Harold Lee Van Heeren Sr., age 82 of Freeport, IL, passed away Friday, October 27, 2017 at Riverside Hospital in Waupaca, WI.
He was born July 9, 1935 in Freeport; the son of the late George and Margaret (LaBorde) Van Heeren. As a young man, Harold worked in traveling carnivals and received his GED in Campbell, KY. He went on to graduate from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. On December 24, 1965, Harold married Sharon Kaye Saxby; she passed on July 17, 2014.
He had served in the United States Army, Staff Sergeant E-6/Specialist 6 Class, retiring after 22 years of service. He served in Vietnam from 1965-1967 and 1970-1971. He was a Certified Aircraft Mechanic and had worked for Mississippi Valley Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Mountain Air Cargo and FedEx, retiring in 2000. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Freeport. His memberships also include the VFW-Cooties, AMVETS, VietNow and Disabled Veterans of America. Harold enjoyed fishing, collecting coins, cooking and especially baking pies. He also liked to watch NASCAR and wrestling. He had a special place in his heart for his pet cats and most of all he loved seeing his family.
Harold is survived by his 8 children, Paula (Buck) Widener of Barnsdall, OK, Harold Van Heeren Jr. of Freeport, IL, Barbara Van Heeren of Lancaster, PA, Dena (Terry) Shaver of Lancaster, PA, Warren Van Heeren of Freeport, IL, Shana (Dave) Van Heeren of Freeport, IL, Eugene (Cecilia) Van Heeren of Freeport, IL, and Joshua (Elizabeth) Van Heeren of Evansville, IN; 8 grandchildren, Marion Ripley, David Van Heeren, Keri (Jeff) Ludwig, Tiffanie (Mike) Cooke, Elsie Compton, Heather Van Heeren, Irene Sharon Van Heeren, Adalynn Kaye Van Heeren; niece, Crystal Lawrence; and nephew Doug Van Heeren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents, George and Margaret; step-father, Melvin Henze; grandson, Charles Ripley Jr.; brother, James E. Van Heeren; ½ brother, George Van Heeren; and ½ sister, Agnes Rehfeld.
