Everett Van Pelt, 91, of Perry passed away Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at MercyOne Hospice Care in Johnston, Iowa.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Perry. Burial will be at the Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry, Iowa. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Murdock Funeral Home.
Everett Harold Van Pelt was born Jan. 5, 1931, in Boone County, Iowa, the son of Harold Ernest and Dorothy Mae (Grove) Van Pelt.
Everett graduated from Ogden High School in 1950.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 4, 1951, and was Honorably Discharged on Nov. 15, 1954, after serving his country in the Korean War.
Everett married Ilene Maye Lingren on March 31, 1951, at the Community United Methodist Church in Ogden, Iowa. Wonderful memories were made over their 71 years of marriage.
A favorite was when they would dance to their signature song, “Mountain Music” by Alabama. That’s when the cameras would come out, and the crowd formed a circle and clapped to their delight.
In 1958 they settled in Perry, and Everett worked for 32 years as a machinist at the John Deere Works in Ankeny until his retirement.
He was a member of the Perry Masonic Lodge and the Bass Fishing Club.
A generous, hardworking, fearless man best describes Everett outside of his love to fish, hunt and story tell.
He took pride in his yard and spent endless hours woodworking, making treasures for his family with his stamp of love on each unique piece.
He loved his family and lived for his grandchildren. Because of them, they are what made life have greater meaning for him . . . loving them and spending time with each of them.
Everett is survived by his wife, Ilene; children, Debra (Ray) Heenan of Perry, Vicki (Rick Bach) Van Pelt of Granger and Brenda Van Pelt of North Liberty, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda (Ben Brown) Heenan, Krista (Jeff) Scieszinski, Natasha (Ryan) McCrory, Nathan (Maggie) Keenan, Caleb (Kali Hein) Keenan, Zach (Alisha) Mulder and Jesse Mulder; great-grandchildren, Callie Scieszinski, Mackenzie Scieszinski, Stella Scieszinski, Korin McCrory, Carissa Keenan, Gavin McCrory, Caeden Keenan, Connor Keenan, Zane Mulder, Bella Mulder and Grace Mulder; and sister, Darlene (Stan) Pitt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Connie Lou Van Pelt Schuhardt; brothers, Kenneth Van Pelt, Harold Van Pelt and Keith Van Pelt.
Condolences for his family and memorials in Everett’s name may be sent to Murdock Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at murdockfuneralhome.net.
