Marvin H. Van Den Eng

Marvin Van Den Eng, 81, of Freedom, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at home with his family by his side. He was born on February 8, 1935, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Brooks) Van Den Eng.

Marv married Roberta Jacob on March 14, 1970. She brought her five children with her to join the family with his son from a previous marriage to Marlene Weyenberg. On December 24, 1971, Marv and Roberta had a son to make the family complete.

Marv retired from the Atlas Mill in Appleton at the age of 55. He then dedicated his like to the one thing he truly loved…auctions. He started Van Den Eng and Sons Scrap Iron, which helped him support his seven children and his wife’s love of rummage sales. Marv loved auctions and loved all the people he met there, he considered them a large auction family. One of his favorite auctions was the Amish auction in Neillsville.

On Sundays he enjoyed going to the Appleton Apostolic Truth Church where he was a greeter and usher. He was known to everyone at church as the “Candy Man.” Marv always had tootsie rolls in his pockets for all the kids. He also helped with the food pantry. Everyone at church knew if they needed help, just call Marv.

His special love was his grandchildren, whom he loved to have sit on his lap and of course, give candy.

Marv is survived by his children: Debbie (Royal) Meetz, Mary (Larry) Daul, Bill (Sue) Van Den Eng, Roger (Brenda) Van Den Eng, Kathy (Butch) Hopfensperger, Bob (Susan) Jacob and James (Becky) Van Den Eng; 16 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; his siblings: Joy (Roy) Van Dyke, Floyd (Joan) Van Den Eng, Clarence (Millie) Van Den Eng and Ronald (Jenny Rice) Van Den Eng; brothers and sisters-in-law: Kenitz Van Den Eng, Clarence “Whitey” Gerrits, Jerry (Pat) Reinke, Diane Hovey, Tom Reinke, Cheryl Ehle, Jim (Barb) Reinke, John (Barb) Reinke, Don Reinke, Mike Reinke, and Sheila Wilquet; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Marv was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Roberta Van Den Eng; his first wife, Marlene Weyenberg; five baby grandchildren; siblings: Eunice (Robert) Van Daalwyk, Gladys Fravel, Gene Van Den Eng; and a brother-in-law, Ray Hovey.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home FREEDOM Location, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom, with Pastor Aaron Soto officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, April 22, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Van Den Eng family would like to extend a special thank you to Chuck and Mary Geurts and Keary Lamers for taking Dad to auctions when he couldn’t drive anymore and to Keary for all her special road trips. Dad loved you guys so much. We would also like to thank his special “angel on Earth” Becky, for everything she has done for Dad this past year to make him as safe, happy, comfortable and loved as possible. We will never be able to thank you enough. Also thanks to the Ministry Home Care Hospice Team, especially Laurie Hockers and Gina. You always brought a smile to Dad’s face and made his days a little brighter.

So when you try to find Dad in Heaven, just look for the closest auction and the man with the hairy hat trying to buy anything that’s selling for a buck! Love you Dad!

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