Richard "Dick J. Van De Hey

Little Chute – Richard J. “Dick” Van De Hey, age 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on October 22, 2021. He was born on June 18, 1927, son of the late Henry and Bardine (Tiesling) Van De Hey. On April 21, 1951, Dick married Alice Coenen and together this year they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Dick served his country as a member of the United States Army. He worked for Kimberly Clark for 42 years before his retirement. Dick and Alice enjoyed 25 years living on Lake Winneconne before moving back to the Fox Valley. He loved to fish and volunteer at church as an usher, mass server and communion distributor. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus and was a very active 4th Degree Knight. Dick always wanted to make sure everyone was having a good time. Many remember him slapping his knee while saying, “Damn I like this!” He loved his family and spending time with them, especially his grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Alice Van De Hey; children: Lyle (Wanda) Van De Hey, Cindy (Frank) Dillinger and Janice (Ken) Schmitz; sons-in-law: Ralph Smudde and Randy Uitenbroek; grandchildren: Travis (Heidi) Van De Hey, Cory (Danielle) Van De Hey, Becky Smudde, Kristin (Tyler) Maahs, Amy (Nick) Wurdinger, Craig Dillinger, Tanya (Rich) Van Horn, Kara (Brian) Schaefer, Adam (Sophie) Schmitz and Megan (Ryan) Albrecht; step-grandchildren: Jeff (Ann E.) Millard, Emily (Terry) Schwartz and Jackie (Matt) Tilman; great grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Ethan, Taylor, Lauren, Kaeden, Kinley, Bentley, Jack, Leah, Foster, Truitt, Declan, Hendrick, Sydney, Trevor, Quinn, Addison, Molly and Joshua; in-laws: Marilyn Van Dyke, Norman Coenen, Lloyd (Julie) Coenen and Maggie Coenen; and many nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to him as “Uncle Dicky.”

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bardine Van De Hey; daughters: Kathy Smudde and Linda Uitenbroek; brothers: Ray (Helen), Norb (Margaret) and Howard (Pat) Van De Hey; sister, Iline (Joe) Nackers; in-laws: Irvan Coenen, Pat Coenen, Bill Coenen, Ray Coenen, LaVerne (Rich) McCarthy, Norbert Van Dyke, Rose Coenen and Doris Carlson.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the mass. Masks would be appreciated by those attending. Those wishing to view the service online may do so at www.stjn.org. Interment will be in Holy Name Cemetery, Kimberly. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established with donations going toward genetic breast cancer research. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Paul and Nancy Kuyper for all of your love and support over the years. Also to the amazing staff at ThedaClark, Neenah for going above and beyond for our family the last few days.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.