Richard Adrian Van Handel

Richard A. “Rich” Van Handel, 86, of Kaukauna, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 23, 2015. He was born on March 16, 1929, son of the late Fred and Anna (Schumacher) Van Handel. Rich married Grace George on October 6, 1954, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna.

Rich served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After service, he started his long career as a successful entrepreneur. Rich owned and operated Van Handel Transit for many years and started Van Handel’s Cheesehut in Appleton. He was a member of the Barbershoppers, St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church and of the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post #258, Little Chute. In his younger years, Rich played the accordion in his band, the Rhythm Vans, and enjoyed traveling in his bus with family and friends.

Rich is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Grace; his children: Dave (Marge) Van Handel, Donna Weyenberg, Dale (Trina) Van Handel, Denise (Dan) Zwick and Dawn (Tom) Golden; grandchildren: Eric (Steph), Jared, Nicole (Paul), Kyle (Katie), Alicia (Jake), Sam (Lisa), Max, Brady (Mia), Ashley (Cory), Brittany, Jamie, Dylan, Derek, Jena and Connor; 11 great grandchildren; a sister, Urs Vanden Heuvel; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lorna Van Handel, Betty Janssen, Bruce (Irene) George, Dick (Dolly) George and Jim (Carol) George; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Matt (Marion)(Janet) Van Handel, Art (Bernice) Van Handel, Bill Van Handel and Erv (Bonnie)(Ruth) Van Handel; sisters: Catherine (Mike Micke)(Jerome Van Lanen), Marie (Ruben Van Lanen)(Butch Dobrinska), Irene (George) Stoffel, Ag (Al) Smudde, Audrey (Fabe) Van Camp; brother-in-law, Clarence Vanden Heuvel; Grace’s parents, Hubert and Josephine George; a sister-in-law, Janet (Joe) Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 323 S. Pine Street, Little Chute, with Msgr. James Vanden Hogen officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday directly at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Full military honors will be performed after mass by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post #258. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Van Handel family would like to extend a special thank you to all the health care professionals who have helped care for Rich over the years. Not only those who helped make his last days more comfortable, but also those who allowed us to have so much extra time with Rich.

We love and miss you. We will carry you in our hearts forever!   

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