George L.VanDierendonck, 86, of Walkerton, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at IU Health La Porte Hospital.
George was born on March 23, 1929 in rural La Porte County to Ferdinand and Rosa (Pickavet) VanDierendonck.
On September 6, 1952 at St. Joseph Church in La Porte, IN, he married Pauline "Pat" Goethals who survives. Also surviving are his beloved children, Peggy (Scott) Ksander of West Lafayette, Don (Lori) VanDierendonck of Walkerton, Nancy (Kevin) Harper of Jeffersonville, Paul (Erin) VanDieren of Granger, and James VanDierendonck of Fish Lake; 9 grandchildren, Amy Leitze, Jeff Ksander, Erin Harper-Feser, Katy Goforth, Alison VanDierendonck-Johnson, Melissa Smith, Miranda Kitchell, Andrew VanDieren, and Elise VanDieren; 7 great-grandchildren, Nick and Elaina Leitze, Brayden and Abigail Ksander; Chloe and Emmitt Kitchell, and Grayson Goforth; and two sisters, Bertha Hertges of La Porte and Joan (Charles) Wilhelm of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Albert Dieren, Maurice VanDierendonck, and James VanDierendonck.
George graduated from Mill Creek High School. He was an United States Army Veteran having served in the Korean War. He was a retired farmer and a former Lincoln Township trustee and served on the Advisory Board as well. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #400, and the Lincoln Township Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed spending mornings with his "breakfast buddies". He was a lifelong farmer and was most comfortable when he was on his farm, where he was born. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially sharing and patiently teaching them about life on the farm. He loved to watch sports - mostly his grandkids' sports teams and whatever college sports was on TV. Coinciding with his retirement in the mid-1990s, he became a big fan of the Notre Dame Women's Basketball team, rarely missing a game. His life had a great impact upon many people and he will be greatly missed by those he impacted - the many family members, friends and the community in which he resided his whole life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 7732 E. SR 4, Fish Lake, IN. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Mill Creek with Full Military Honors presented by the La Porte Honor Guard.
A time of visitation will be from 4 - 8 pm on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church Hall, 7732 E. SR 4, Fish Lake, IN.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Oak Grove Cemetery, 1256 S. 775 E., Mill Creek, IN 46365; Lincoln Township Volunteer Fire Department, 7982 E.SR 4, Walkerton, IN 46574; or the La Porte County Draft Horse Association, 5656 N. 150 E., La Porte, IN 46350.
Condolences may be shared online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.
Death: May 2, 2015