Eugene F. "Geno" Vande Hey, Little Chute, age 91, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday May 30, 2019 at St. Paul Elder Services. Gene was born in Kaukauna on December 19, 1927 to the late Peter and Odelia (Meulemans) Vande Hey. He married Virgina "Skippy" Van Dyn Hoven on August 6, 1949 at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute where he was a lifelong member. Together, they often attended Christ the Rock Community Church where Geno had a spiritual defining moment when he committed his life to Jesus and received Him as his personal Savior. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258. Gene liked to golf and bowled for many years in Kaukauna and Hollandtown. He loved to travel and enjoyed the 14 years he and Skippy had wintering in Arizona. Gene was a huge fan of the Packers and Brewers. He had a great personality and brought joy to all who knew him.
Gene is survived by his children: Pastor David P. and Mary Vande Hey and their children: Jen and Josh Schmalz (Ethan, Ty and Sam), Dan and Erin Vande Hey (Caden, Bennett and Malia), Becca and Luke Engle (Isaiah, Carter, Nehemiah, Adalyn, Selah and Gabrielle - deceased), Ellen and Scott Van Groll (Aleah, Caleb and Levi), Sarah and Jim Vander Sanden (Henry, Sully, Lewy and Eddy), Bethany and Paul Jongert (Charles, Audrey, Mabel and William), Pete and Kali Vande Hey (Emmaline, Genevieve and Jack), Nate and Shayna Vande Hey (Elijah and Kaelyn), Josh and Alivia Vande Hey (Noah), Maydee Vande Hey, and another granddaughter adopted by heart, Salka Dahi Vande Hey; Kim and Jay Vande Burgt and their children: Nick and Heather Vande Burgt (Lily and Hunter), Thomas Vande Burgt - deceased, David Vande Burgt, and Laura and Levi Spink (Christopher); siblings: Gladys Tennesssen, Art (Tess) Vande Hey, and Grace Zwick; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mary Ann Vande Hey, Clyde (Jackie) Van Dyn Hoven, and Carol Haen.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Skippy; son, Daniel; siblings: Fr. Robert, Earl and Sr. Eugenia Vande Hey; brothers and sisters-in-law: Leroy Tennessen, Marv Zwick, Ivo Haen, Alice (Don) Mignon, Audrey (Yutz) Rooyyakkers, and Laverne (Dick) Hoks; and special niece and nephews: Sheila Zwick, Robert Tennessen and Mark Haen.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 Pine St. Little Chute) beginning at 2:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. with Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Willard Vande Loo will officiate with Deacon Bruce Corey assisting. Military honors, conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258, will immediately follow. Committal St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial is being established to benefit National Suicide Prevention week presented by Life Promotions at area schools October 3, 2019 and includes all of the Little Chute schools. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.
Geno's family would like to thank St. Paul Elder Services, especially the staff on Birch Place. They didn't just care for him, they loved him.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9)