Irvin John Van Rheenen was born August 10, 1942, to John L. and Mary Irene De Cook Van Rheenen in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He passed away Thursday evening, January 3, 2013, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 70.

Irvin grew up on a farm south of Pella. He graduated from Pella Community High School and Omaha Trade School. In 1963, Irvin joined the Army National Guard and was trained at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas.

On November 6, 1964, he was united in marriage with Ethel Van Gorp in Pella, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Carol, John, and Chad. Irvin was very proud of his family.

Irvin began his working career with Van Haaften Plumbing and Heating. In 1969 he started his own plumbing, heating, and cooling business, Van Rheenen, Inc. He retired in 2007 after 38 years. His son Chad is continuing the business.

He liked to find out how things worked and tried to invent things to make a job easier. Irvin will be remembered as honest, hard working, and being fair to his customers. He and Ethel enjoyed traveling, camping, southern gospel music, and playing cards with family and friends.

He made profession of faith at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. He was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella for 48 years, where he served as elder and deacon. He also was in charge of church maintenance for many years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ethel; his three children and their spouses: Carol and Galen Redshaw of Johnston, Iowa, John and Michelle Van Rheenen of Marion, Iowa, and Chad and Alissa Van Rheenen of Pella, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Brenden, Cameron, Brooke Redshaw, Timothy, Abigail, Kaitlyn Van Rheenen, and Anna Joy Van Rheenen; his brother Henry (Donna) Van Rheenen; and sister Mary (Duane) Van Maanen; his mother-in-law Edith Van Gorp; his brother-in-law Dennis (Mary) Van Gorp; and sister-in-law Nancy (Cornel) Venema.

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; his sister Becky Ann Pickens; brother-in-law Gene Van Wyk; and father-in-law Edward Van Gorp.

Irvin will always be admired for his positive attitude and faith during a long and courageous battle with cancer.

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Trinity Reformed Church
Pella, Iowa

VISITATION

Beginning at Noon on Monday, January 7, 2013
with family present 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
Pella, Iowa

MEMORIALS

Trinity Reformed Church, Building Fund, Pella, Iowa
Riverside Community Church, Knoxville, Iowa
Hospice of Pella

INTERMENT

Oakwood Cemetery
Pella, Iowa