Obituary of Riley Van Zee

A Celebration of Life Service for Riley Van Zee will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Newton Christian Reformed Church in Newton. Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation with the family will be 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Newton Christian School or Wesley Life Hospice, in Riley’s name. Burial will be at the Newton Union Cemetery. Riley Van Zee, 78, the son of Engel and Dena (Breukelman) Van Zee, was born April 1, 1937, in New Holland, South Dakota, the youngest of ten brothers & sisters. He was raised in New Holland, and as a young man moved to the Newton area. On October 7, 1960, Riley was united in marriage with Pearl Branderhorst at the Newton Christian Reformed Church. To this union three children were born: Douglas, Marla and Patti. Riley devoted his life to his family, and was the owner/operator of Riley’s Sinclair Station in Newton, for many years, later managed Riley’s Sinclair in Pella. He was a member of the Newton Christian Reformed Church, serving as an Elder and Deacon. He served on the school boards at both Newton Christian School and Pella Christian High School. He later was the Head Custodian for the Newton Schools, at Woodrow Wilson School, retiring in 2001. After retirement, he enjoyed working part time at Pyramid Plastics. Riley enjoyed woodworking, fishing and attending his grandchildren’s activities. Riley passed away Tuesday morning, April 7, 2015, at his home in Newton, under the care of Wesley Life Hospice. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters: LeRoy, Virgil, Herman, John, Raymond Van Zee; and Jeanette Vander Heiden and Dorothy Van Arkel. Those left to honor Riley’s memory include his wife Pearl; son Douglas (Elly) Van Zee of Sully his daughters: Marla Bird and Patti Van Zee, both of Newton; his six grandchildren: Brynna (Lance) Van Wyk, Dana (Cory) Sims, Marcus Van Zee, and Shelby, Logan and Mollie Bird; his great-grandson Bentley Van Wyk; his brother Ed (Adrena “Andi”) Van Zee; his sister Gertrude (Ed) Slings, all of Newton, his sisters-in-law: Irene Van Zee-Hilleman, Mary Lou Van Zee-Kredit, and Geneva Van Zee; his many nieces and nephews; and many friends.