Obituary

Ivan Jeral Van Der Schaaf

Born: February 2, 1941, in Maurice, Iowa, to John I. and Louise Van Der Schaaf. He attended school in a one-room school in Sioux County, Iowa. He then graduated high school from Sioux Center, Iowa, class of 1959.

Passed away: June 4, 2024, at his home in Center, Texas.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Central Baptist Church in Center with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Bro. Danny Dodson will officiate, assisted by Bro. Stephen Hinton and Bro. Eddie Grimes. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

Pallbearers will be Jeryl Wheeler, Jason Wheeler, Jacob Wheeler, Isaac Shofner, Matthew Chandler, and Mitchell Fountain.

Ivan Van Der Schaaf is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wanda, their 4 daughters and their husbands:

Ila and Don Wheeler of Center, TX
Wynae and Stephen Hinton of Gresham, Oregon
Wanita and John Shofner of Center, TX
Iletha and Bobby Joe Jr. (Joey) Fountain of Center, TX

Grandchildren:

Jeryl Wheeler
John Wesley Wheeler
Jason and Stephanie Wheeler
Jenna (Wheeler) Andres and Micah
Jacob and Kandace Wheeler
Stephen Brent and Melissa Hinton
Wynette (Hinton) Francis and Luke
Isaac and Erica Shofner
Auna (Shofner) Chandler and Matthew
Mitchell Fountain
Leah Fountain

Great-Grandchildren:

Amryn Wheeler                   Rhys Francis
Adhyx Wheeler                   Westyn Francis
Bleu Wheeler                      Braxton Shofner
Kaz Wheeler                       Kenneth Shofner
Elizabeth Andres                 Lilian Hinton
Emery Andres                     Otto Hinton
Barrett Andres
Hudson Wheeler
Heidilynn Hinton

His sister, Jean Van Meekeren

Brother and sister-in-law, Merril and Marilyn Van Der Schaaf

He was preceded in death by his parents, John I. and Louise Van Der Schaaf
Brother-in-law, Clarence Van Meekeren

A host of nephews, nieces, and friends.

Ivan was a man of strong faith and Godly character which was exemplified in every area of his life. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 16 years of age and served the Lord faithfully for the remainder of his life. Ivan was raised in a home with strong Christian values that he passed on to his four girls. He had a servant's heart and was willing to give what he had to help others in need. Ivan was a member of Central Baptist Church in Center, Texas.

Proverbs 20:7, "The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him".

Ivan was a farmer. Whether it was soy beans, corn, cattle, chickens, or his immaculate vegetable garden, he loved to work the land, see his crops grow, and harvest what he tended. He was always willing to share what he grew with others. No one could out work him! You could often ride by Highway 7 West and see him on his lawnmower. He was outside busy doing something from early morning until the sun went down.

Ivan retired from Louisiana Pacific where he sharpened knives for 20 years while at the same time owning and operating a chicken and cattle farm. He also helped his son-in-law, Joey Fountain, with his logging operation for several years driving the truck or skidder. Whenever any of his daughters needed a hand, he was there.

He will be greatly missed, but the life he lived left an example for others to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Central Baptist Church Missions Program, 909 Cora Street, Center, Texas 75935.