- Date Of Birth: January 4, 1921
- Date Of Death: December 18, 2017
- State: Illinois
Orval was born January 4, 1921, at the Schoonhoven family farm, Forreston, IL, to Edward and Anna (Ruter) Schoonhoven. He was one of nine children. Orval attended Forreston schools. On February 12, 1942, he married Dorothy Fox at Forreston Grove Church. The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in February of 2017.
Orval and Dorothy farmed for over 40 years in the Forreston, Shannon, and Lanark areas. Orval operated his own cement business for many years. He also sold silo and feedlot equipment and became involved with purebred livestock. He raised and showed Chester White hogs, Hampshire sheep, and Hereford cattle. He was especially proud of his Hereford cow/calf herd and assisted many area 4-H youth in purchasing and showing cattle throughout the Midwest.
Orval was a 50-year member of Shannon/Lena Lions and was honored with the prestigious Lions Melvin Jones award in 2015. One of Orval’s greatest interests was the Carroll County Fair, Milledgeville, IL, where he was beef superintendent for 20 years and treasurer/ticket manager for 10 years. He was proud when upon his retirement from the fair, he was presented with a free pass to all county fairs in Illinois.
A 50-year member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, Orval served as a trustee, Sunday school superintendent, and treasurer. He has actively involved in the remodeling of the church in 1969 and 1991. For many years, Orval and Dorothy helped construct church floats for the local parades.
Among Orval’s hobbies were woodworking, golfing, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with family. He enjoyed visiting relatives and going to many Schoonhoven family events.
Surviving are one daughter, Kim (Larry) Nelson of Lena; two grandchildren, Rachel Zipsie of Greenville, MI, and Corey Nelson of Lena; one great-grandchild, Aleese (Rane) Stone of Kansas City, KS; three foster great-great-grandchildren. Orval is also survived by numerous nieces and a nephew.
Orval was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (November 29, 2017), five brothers: Raymond, Hasper, Melvin, Wayne, and Edgar; three sisters: Grace Schoonhoven, Vianna (George) Frey, Vada Mae (Henry) Swalve; three nephews: Bradley, Wayne (Butch), and James Schoonhoven.
Orval will be remembered for his optimism and his creative talents.
