Eugene Vande Hey

Gene Vande Hey, of Freedom, passed away on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 surrounded by his loving family, after suffering a massive stroke. He was born June 13, 1931 to Nicholas and Wilma (Verhagen) Vande Hey.

Gene served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. Soon after he returned to Little Chute and opened a tavern, “Gene’s Bar”. In 1956 he met the love of his life, Ethel. They were united in marriage on April 30, 1957 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Wrightstown. In 1962 Gene, Ethel, and their 4 sons moved to Freedom where he owned and operated “Gene’s Alleys”. The couple was blessed with 2 more sons in the years to follow. In 1968 a new bowling alley and restaurant was built and renamed “Colonial Lanes”. Then, in 1978 an addition was built onto the restaurant. The name was once again changed to what it is today, “Colonial House Supper Club”. Gene continued to operate Colonial House until his retirement in 1994 when his son, Mike, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, purchased the restaurant.

Gene was involved in many organizations. In Little Chute he coached the St. John grade school football team, earning several championship wins. For a short time he was a Webelos Scout Leader. He was also a member of the Freedom V.F.W. as well as The American Legion, Post 258 in Little Chute. With the American Legion he held offices as Adjutant and Post Commander and often organized the Color Guard for military funerals. Gene was also a member of the Outagamie County Voiture 1140-40 et 8 where he held several offices and received The Community Service Award. For over 25 years he was a charter member of the Freedom Lions Club, holding offices as President and Treasurer. He was awarded the Melvin Jones award, the highest form of recognition for outstanding Lions.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel, of 59 years and their six sons; Dennis Vande Hey and his children: Melanie (Rafael) Segura, Tracy (Shannon) Vande Voort, Jacole (Dominic) Hall; Mike (Lynn) Vande Hey and their children: Darren (Sarah) Vande Hey, Becky (Jamie) Roberts, Jesse (Charis) Vande Hey; Keith Vande Hey; Nick (Maura Ann) Vande Hey and their children: Ryan Vande Hey, Megan (Eric) Gonnering; Kevin Vande Hey and his children: Amanda Vande Hey, Rick Vande Hey; Jeff Vande Hey;  Twelve Great-Grandchildren; His siblings Dolores (Jim) De Bruin; Nanci (Mel) White; Tom (Lisa) Vande Hey; sister-in-law Sharon Vande Hey; Wayne (Luanne) Vande Hey; Dale (Debbie) Vande Hey. He is further survived by Ethel’s siblings, Merlin (Marleen) Bowers; Marilyn (David) Fischer; Joe (Leanne) Bowers; Patti (Phil) Weber, Judy (Art) Dashut, Bob Bowers; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Ethel; brothers, Jerry Vande Hey, Bruce Vande Hey; Ethel’s parents, Joan and Elzear Bowers; Brothers-in-law, David Bowers, Jerry Bowers; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Pat Vande Hey.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, Freedom Location, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service concluding the evening. Visitation will continue on Friday at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The funeral Mass will be at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Freedom, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery.  Full Military Honors will be performed by the Freedom VFW and the Little Chute American Legion.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mark at the V.A. Clinic, the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, the staff at Atrium Post Acute Care Little Chute, and Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion shown to Gene and his family.

A special Thank You to Gene’s very close friend, Mike Pingel, for his unwavering support.

Also thank you to Fr. Walter Stumpf and Deacon Don Newhouse for their spiritual guidance, prayers, and support.

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