John Van Der Male, 89, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024, at LakeHouse Sheboygan.
John was born to William and Audrey Van Der Male in Saint-Annaland, the Netherlands, on May 5, 1935. The family went through World War II in Europe and immigrated to the United States in 1947, when John was 12 years old. John lived in Lansing, Illinois, for many years with his parents and his older sister, Janet Marie (Haynes). Later in life, John would come to know his half-sister, Krina Wammis, who lived in the Netherlands until her death.
John graduated from Lakeland College and started his career as a high school teacher in New London, WI, and Sheboygan. John had a passion for helping the mentally ill in the community. For most of his career, John was the administrator of Sheboygan County Comprehensive Health Center in Waldo, WI, a position which he thoroughly enjoyed.
John is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Joan “Joni” Van Der Male; sons, Matthew (Barbara) Van Der Male and Nathan (Heather) Van Der Male; stepsons, Scott (Linda) Kopetsky, Michael Kopetsky, and Todd Kopetsky; 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The family would like to thank the staff and managements of both LakeHouse Sheboygan and The Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their dedication, care, and support for John and the family. They would also like to thankUrsula for her special friendship with John at LakeHouse Sheboygan.
The family will be sharing a time of remembrance together, but there will be no services for the public.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s name may be made to the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice or LakeHouse Sheboygan.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with John’s arrangements.
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