VanLeer Hearn passed away peacefully on his own terms at Las Palmas Hospital El Paso, TX on Sept 8, 2021. He was born March 28, 1929 in Peoria, IL. His parents were the Rev. Carl E. Hearn and Blanche (VanLeer) Hearn.
VanLeer married Wilma E. Tiller on November 24, 1956 in Marion, Illinois. They had four children; VanLeer (Bud) Hearn Jr. of Pleasantville, Iowa, Dawn Hearn of El Paso, Texas, Jennifer Aguilar (and her husband Martin Aguilar) also of El Paso, Texas, and John Mathew (deceased); one grandson, Alex Aguilar of El Paso. He has a sister Marsha Smith of Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and infant son, John.
Van graduated from Woodriver (Illinois) High School in 1947 and earned a B.A. in Psychology & minor in Zoology from University of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois in 1957. Van’s service record starts in October 1950 with the 196th Regimental Combat Team in Ft. Carson, CA. with basic training in April 1951 at Eta Jima (Japan) Specialist School to become a pole lineman in the 51st Signal Battalion, I Corps in Korea. In addition, became a stockade guard & earned a good conduct medal as a Private E2. Van had a varied career that started in 1958 as a correctional officer for a juvenile detention center in St. Charles, Illinois followed by the same job in 1961 in Laurel, Maryland. In 1965 in Alton, Illinois he became the Personnel Manager for Alcan Ammunition that later became Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. In 1974, he took the job as Personnel Manager of Knapheide Manufacturing Company before taking his last job as Personnel Manager/Plant Manager at Young Radiator Company when he retired in 1996.
Van was a proud member of the National Rifle Association & Ducks Unlimited & served on several committees (Airport & Firefighters) for the city of Centerville, Iowa. Van was an active member with the Grace Episcopal Church in Albia, Iowa & served as Senior Warden and was a Licensed Chalice Bearer, too. In addition, Van was Scoutmaster for several years as his son progressed through the ranks of the Boy Scouts of America.
Van and his wife enjoyed traveling; they went on several cruises and did extensive RV touring and camping. He also enjoyed playing bridge, cooking and fishing. Van spent his last year in El Paso, Texas with his two daughters Dawn & Jennifer along with Jennifer’s husband Martin (primary caretaker) by his side.
According to his wishes, his remains have been cremated & there will be no viewing & no visitation. The Martin Funeral Homes West 128 N. Resler Drive, El Paso, Texas 79912 will be handling all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donate to the USO website https://www.uso.org/donate/donate-in-honor for Private E2 VanLeer Hearn who served in the Army.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Hearn family.
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