COUNCIL #3955 - ABBOT PENNINGS COUNCIL REMEMBERS
PHILIP VAN GHEEM

 

Philip A. Van Gheem, 76, of De Pere, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, April 28, 2017. He was born December 17, 1940 in the Town of Lawrence to Raphael and Alberta (De Ruyter) Van Gheem. On June 23, 1962 Phil married the former Delores Van Den Heuvel.

Phil was a dairy farmer all of his life on his farm Hemlock Creek Farms in the Town of Lawrence. He was a truly hard working man and he took great care with everything he did for his family, the farm, his garden, or with anything he was associated. He appreciated his drives around the farmlands to assess his neighbors crops.

Phil was a retired Town of Lawrence firefighter, a member of the Abbot Pennings Council 3955 Knights of Columbus, and was an absolute Green Bay Packers fan.

Phil was a true humble man who did things quietly where necessary. He was a devout Catholic member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish with his 7:30 AM morning mass family.

Phil’s life was always centered around his family, no matter what, he truly loved every moment with them playing cards, sheepshead, or anything.

Phil is survived by his wife Delores Van Gheem; three daughters: Susan (John) Amond, Jennifer (William) Buechl; and Peggy (Troy) Schneider; his 8 grandchildren: Skye, Chris, and Erick Amond, Meghan and Emilie Buechl, Phillip, Garrett, and Collin Schneider. He is further survived by his siblings: Anna M. (Louis) Peterson, John “Jack” (Mary Ann) Van Gheem, and Nick (Connie) Van Gheem; nieces, nephews, and Delores family. Phil was preceded in death by his parents Raphael and Alberta Van Gheem; brother Daniel (Gayle) Van Gheem; father and mother-in-law George and Elsie Van Den Heuvel; and extended family members.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at RYAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere. A Prayer service will be at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday, May 1, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family, De Pere, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM with Fr. Tim Shillcox, O. Praem. officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send a condolence to Phil’s family.

A heartfelt thank you to all who were so kind to Phil; Dr. Reynders, Parkinson’s Exercise Group, Allouez Parkside Village, and Heartland Hospice.