Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for John C. Ven Horst, 68, a resident of Long Grove will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 16550 – 290th Street, Long Grove.
Burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church Monday, July 19th, beginning with a Christian Wake Service at 4 p.m. The family will greet friends after the prayers until 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Clark Allen, Craig Allen, Dave Hebbelm, Dale Dexter, Chad Dexter, Kye Dexter, Mike O’Neill, Bob Zirkel, honorary pallbearers, Ernest Schreiber and Dan Schreiber and Steve McFarland.
John died unexpectedly Friday, July 16, 2010 at Genesis Medical Center East Rusholme Street, Davenport.
Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements at the church.
John was born Nov. 21, 1941 in Davenport, Iowa a son of Walter Joseph and Geraldine Josephine (Gerlach) Ven Horst. He graduated from the former Davenport High School class of 1959.
He was united in marriage to Claudia Allen on April 25, 1964.
John was first and foremost a dedicated farmer and had worked the land since 1970. During this time he had also been co-owner of Ven Horst Poultry which he established in 1979. He has also been an active vendor at the Freight House Farmers Market for many years. In his earlier years he was a machinist and was employed for 28 years at Davenport Machine retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Boilermakers Union Local 83.
He was active in numerous civic and community affairs during his lifetime. John had been a member of St. Ann’s Church, where he volunteered his time and donated meals to church functions. He always made sure to give back to those less fortunate, and was a quiet giver. He has been on the Iowa State University Scott County Extension Council since 1986. He has served on the Scott County 4H Youth Committee for over five years; and recently he along with his wife Claudia were inducted into the Iowa 4H Hall of Fame for outstanding service and dedication to 4H.
Memorials can be made to the John C. Ven Horst Memorial Fund for a future tribute to be established in his name.
Survivors include his loving wife of over 46 years, Claudia, a son and daughter-in-law, John “J” and Joy Ven Horst, II, Long Grove, Iowa; a grandson who was the light of his life, Alex Ven Horst; a sister and brother-in-law, Joanne and Ernest Schreiber, Bellevue, Nebraska; mother-in-law, Catherine Allen, Davenport; additional in-laws, Carla (Mylo) Hurto, Craig (Deb) Allen, Clark (Kathy) Allen, Cathy (Paul) May, nieces and nephews, Kimberly (Angelo) Zieno, Dan Schreiber, Becky Hurto, Sarah (Jayme) Chlupac, Megan Hurto, Tracey Allen, Nikki Allen, U.S. Navy, Chris Allen, U.S. Navy, Kaitlin May, Molly May, Erin May, Shannon May, and a grand niece, Sophia Zieno, and a grand nephew, Zachary Chlupac.
John was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law, Claude Allen. May they rest in peace.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting John’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
