Richard J. VanWynsberghe, 63, of rural Geneseo, passed away Monday, May 28, 2012 at Hammond-Henry Hospital Emergency Room, Geneseo. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 1st, 2012 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Atkinson. Rev. R. Anthony Lee will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Atkinson; where Military Honors will be accorded by the Don Cherry VFW Post #5083. Visitation for Rich will be from 4-8pm Thursday at Vandemore Funeral Home Ltd., Atkinson. Memorials may be directed to the Richard VanWynsberghe Memorial Fund.
Rich was born on March 3, 1949 in Kewanee the son of August and Audrey (Pont) VanWynsberghe. He was a 1968 graduate of Geneseo High School. Rich proudly served our country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was united in marriage to Sharon K. Ghys on February 20, 1969 in Cambridge. Rich farmed in rural Geneseo as well as worked for Mariman Auction for several years. He also had been a salesman for the former Empire Equipment, Geneseo and later for Hatzer & Nordstrom Farm Equipment in Annawan. Rich was a life member of the Don Cherry VFW Post #5083. He enjoyed helping at auctions, NASCAR and fishing.
Survivors include his wife Sharon, two daughters Tracy (Mark) Diehl, Atkinson; Kelly (Rick) Schilling, Appleton, WI; a son Lonnie VanWynsberghe, Toledo, IL; six grandchildren Jordan Diehl, Emily Diehl, Nick Schilling, Danaca Schilling, Alex VanWynsberghe, Chase VanWynsberghe, a sister Sharon Wren, Quad Cities; three brothers Charlie (Cindy) VanWynsberghe, Geneseo; Steve VanWynsberghe, Cambridge; and Albert VanWynsberghe, Quad Cities.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
