Dicktrus Van Der Meulen

Dick Van Der Meulen, 84, of Chino, California went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2026. Dick was the youngest of seven children born on October 4, 1941 to John and Lubertha Buma in Bell, California. His mother passed away during childbirth and Dick was raised and adopted by Sweitse and Alice Van Der Meulen. Dick married the love of his life Marilyn, on June 21, 1961. They were blessed to be married just seven weeks shy of 65 years.

Dick was raised most of his life in the Chino area, but moved 19 times before he was married. Dick was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Chino and later a member of Crosspoint Church in Chino.

Dick loved driving truck and worked for Dairyland Hay Co. for over 40 years, where he was known as the “Black Dutchman” and took pride in a perfectly stacked load of hay.

In his later years, he enjoyed many motor home trips, including their favorite trip to Bishop, California every October, where he always loved to go fishing.

Dick is survived by his dear wife Marilyn, son Randy Vander Meulen (Denise), daughter Sheri Hoekstra (David), son Dickie Vander Meulen (Lisa). He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren Kristen Kamper (Larry), Candise Crow (BJ), Rachelle O’Brien (Shaun), Katelyn Krakauskas (Mitch), Natalie Valenzuela (Steven), Jacob Vander Meulen (Desiree), Kaylie Vander Meulen and Faith Vander Meulen. In addition to his grandchildren, “Poppa” was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren, Westin, Crew, Kennedy, Rob, Connor, Jillian, Kinsley, Houston, Axle, Brynlee, Ethan, Noah, Odin and Allison.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Sweitse and Alice Van Der Meulen, his brothers Cory, Eddie, Johnny and Gus Buma, his sisters Tillie Vander Laan and Beppy Oldenkamp.

Visitation will be held Saturday, April 18th 8:00-9:00 am at Pierce Brothers Crest Lawn Mortuary 11500 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA. Graveside service will follow visitation from 9:00-10:00 am. Celebration of Life Service will be held at Crosspoint Church at 11:00 am, 6950 Edison Avenue, Chino, CA 91710.

Those honored to be his pallbearers are Dick’s grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Crosspoint Church 6950 Edison Avenue, Chino, CA 91710.