John Lee VanderSchaaf, 78, of Morrison, IL, died Monday, December 23, 2019, at his home.
John was born June 19, 1941, in Morrison, to Lee and Georgiana (Newendyke) VanderSchaaf. He was educated in the Morrison grade schools and was a graduate of Morrison High School. He was married to Louise Buikema; they later divorced. He married Claudia Patrikus on April, 4, 1974; she died on July 24, 1997. He then married Carolyn J. Tegeler on June 20, 1998. He did an apprenticeship with Groharing Mason Contractors in Morrison, and then worked at J & D Construction in Fulton, IL. He later owned and operated a business with John Venhuizen called V & V Construction. He also owned and operated Modern Masonry and VanderSchaaf Construction. John was a brick layer for over 50 years and was a member of the Bricklayers Local 6 out of Rockford, IL, until retiring. He was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church, where he served as Elder and attended Bible studies. He was a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and helped with Dream Hunt as a mentor, making and donating turkey calls to special needs and terminally ill children for years. He loved fishing, hunting, and making turkey calls. He was a member of, and played for, the first Little League team in Morrison and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears Fan. John especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Carolyn; children, Carmen VanderSchaaf of Shaumburg, IL, Shani VanderSchaaf of Menomonee Falls, WI, Kathy (Rusty) Mills of Morrison, Bradley VanderSchaaf of Clinton, IA, and Kevin (Barbara) Wiebenga of Morrison. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Jeremy, Bryce, Thomas John “TJ,” Jordan, and Jarrett; brother, LaVerne “Butch” (Ann) VanderSchaaf of Morrison.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Ty VanderSchaaf.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison, IL, with Rev. Ken Zuithoff officiating.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, December 27, 2019, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established.