Howard W. Van Peursem

He was born March 21, 1926, in Maurice, Iowa to Chester and Gertrude (Boonstra) Van Peursem. On August 8, 1948, he married Jo Griffitts in Mitchellville, Iowa.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He received his B.A. from Central College in Pella and M.A. from both University of Wisconsin-Madison and Northern Illinois University. He has been a resident of Crystal Lake since 1961. He was an educator who loved his students and had a great passion for his work. He served as Principal at Cary-Grove High School for 18 years before retiring in 1988. He was also an avid Cubs fan.

He is survived his wife of 62 years, Jo; his children, Mark (Suzanne) Van Peursem and Susan Van Peursem; his brother, David (Minerva) Van Peursem; and his sister, Helen (the late Art) Kalsbeck.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8pm on Wednesday, April 27, at Querhammer & Flagg Funeral Home, 500 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.

Visitation will continue from 12pm to the 1pm funeral service on Thursday, April 28, at First Congregational Church, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake.

Interment will be in Crystal Lake Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 208 S. La Salle St. #1500, Chicago, IL 60604-1109 or to the American Cancer Society, 225 North Michigan Avenue #1210, Chicago, IL 60601-7833.

For information call the funeral home at 815-459-1760. Online condolences may be made at www.querhammerandflagg.com.

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