Corn Crib Topples, Kills M. Van Wyk Young O. C. Veteran
A tragic farm accident last Wednesday afternoon took the life of Maynard, known
as Mike Van Wyk and seriously injured Steve Slapendaal of Sioux Center.
The men were putting up a new type corn crib on the Simon Harmelink farm
northeast of Orange City when a gust of wind toppled the big structure and
pinned the two men underneath it.
The rest of the crew who were working on the other side of the crib quickly
jacked it up and extricated the injured men who were rushed to a hospital.
Van Wyk died soon after reaching the hospital. Slapendaal, who-received a broken leg, skull fracture, chest and back injuries, is reported making good improvement. The crib was being assembled by Art Korver, Vernon Muilenburg, Martin De Jager, Andrew Vander Maaten and the two accident victims. It was 31 feet high, 40 feet long and 27 feet wide.
Maynard Van Wyk was born at Inwood, lowa, December 24, 1921, and when 6 years old moved with his parents to Sheldon. After attending the Christian school in Sheldon, he engaged in farming with his father. He left this occupation in order to serve his country in the second World War, and he served 3 years. After returning from the service he was employed by firms in Orange City and then took up carpentry, which gave promise of becoming his life work.
He was married on May 29, 1947 to Geneva Korver, who with an infant son, 6 months, survives him. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Orange City, but after his marriage became a member of the First Reformed Church of Orange City.
He died on Wednesday, September 7, leaving besides his own beloved family, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Van Wyk, and 6 brothers, Gerrit of Alton and Peter, Harry, Elmer, John and Donald still at home, who mourn his departure, but rejoice in the hope of reunion in the Heavenly Home.
Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon in the First Reformed Church of Orange City with Rev. H. Colenbrander and Rev. Bajema officiating. Interment was made in the Nassau Township Cemetery, near Alton.
Source: Alton Democrat, September 15, 1949
His services were Saturday, Oct. 25, at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, with the Rev. Paul Van Maaren officiating. Burial was in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa.
Eugene Boersma Hofmeyer, the son of Dick and Martha (Boersma) Hofmeyer was born on April 4, 1921, in Newkirk, Iowa. His family moved to Matlock when he was 2, and then moved to Hospers, where he received his education; graduating from Hospers High School in 1938. After high school, Eugene was awarded a scholarship to Westmar College in LeMars to further his education. On Jan. 20, 1945, he married Eunice Haag. To this union Phyllis and Paul were born. Eunice was a nurse and contracted polio. She preceded Eugene in death on Nov. 19, 1952. On April 23, 1955, he married Jeneva (Korver) Van Wyk in LeMars, Iowa. Gary and Mike became Eugene’s sons as a result of their marriage. Thirteen years into their marriage they were surprised and blessed with a daughter, Michelle. The family farmed in the Sheldon area until Gene retired in 1989. Eugene was a devoted steward of the land that the Lord had provided him. He continued helping with the farming operation until he was 88. Eugene and Jeneva built a new home next to the family farm in 1977 and lived there until moving to Fieldcrest in 2009. Eugene went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, at Sanford Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa, reaching the age of 93 years, 6 months and 15 days.
Eugene loved the Lord. He loved his family. He loved to sing. Eugene was an active member at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, serving many terms as Elder. He served on the Northwestern College Board and was active in Lay Witness Mission Ministry. He served on the Co-op Elevator Board. He enjoyed watching sports, even managing to get in a baseball game on his honeymoon. He had many wise sayings (Gene-isms) and every one had a story behind it.
Left to cherish Eugene’s memory is his wife of 59 years, Jeneva of Sheldon; children, Phyllis, and her husband Roger Smit of Prescott, Arizona; Gary, and his wife Dona Hofmeyer of St. Petersburg, Florida; Paul Hofmeyer of Sioux City, Iowa; Mike, and his wife Bonnie Hofmeyer of Sheldon; and Michelle, and her husband Jeff DeKok of Archer, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Brent, Heith, Erik, Mark, Ross and Dustin Hofmeyer, Beau Smit, Amy Schade, Will and Kellen DeKok; 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends to remember him lovingly.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eunice; parents; a sister, Lucille Van Veldhuizen, and a brother, Virgil Hofmeyer.
Her services were Monday, May 18, 2015 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa, with the Rev. Paul Van Maaren officiating. Burial was at the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa.
Arrangements were under the care of the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.
Jeneva W. Hofmeyer, daughter of William and Matilda (Muyskens) Korver, was born Dec. 4, 1925, in Hospers, Iowa. The family moved to Alton when she was 3 years old. When she was 12 years old the family moved to LeMars, where she received her education at Floyd Independent Country Schools. Jeneva was very proud to have attended Northwestern Academy in Orange City. She cherished her time at the Academy and was a lifelong supporter of Northwestern College.
On May 29, 1947, she married Mike VanWyk and together they made their home in Orange City. To this union Gary and Mike were born. He preceded Jeneva in death on Sept. 7, 1949. Jeneva worked as a secretary for the ASCS office in Orange City for 10 years, and this is where Jeneva met Eugene. Jeneva married Eugene Hofmeyer on April 23, 1955, in LeMars. Phyllis and Paul became her son and daughter. Thirteen years into their marriage Jeneva and Eugene were surprised and blessed with a daughter, Michelle.
Eugene and Jeneva farmed for many years in the Sheldon area until retiring in 1989. They built a new home north of the family farm in 1977 and lived there until moving to Fieldcrest in 2009. After 58 devoted years working and serving together, Eugene preceded Jeneva in death on Oct. 19, 2014. Jeneva remained at Fieldcrest until entering the Sanford Sheldon Hospital where she went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 15, 2015, reaching the age of 89 years, 5 months and 11 days.
Jeneva loved the Lord. She was an active member of First Reformed Church in Sheldon, where she was always happy to be busy doing the Lord’s work. She enjoyed singing alto in the choir, served on the Guild, taught Sunday School, and Catechism. All of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew that she loved them. She had a gift for hospitality, and all the grandchildren knew where her famous cookie tin was. Her home was always open and beautifully kept.
Left to cherish Jeneva’s memory are her children, Phyllis Smit and her husband Roger, of Prescott, Arizona; Gary Hofmeyer, and his wife Dona, of St. Petersburg, Florida; Paul Hofmeyer of Sioux City, Iowa; Mike Hofmeyer, and his wife, Bonnie, of Sheldon, Iowa; and Michelle DeKok, and her husband Jeff, of Archer, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, Brent, Heith, Erik, Mark, Ross and Dustin Hofmeyer, Beau Smit, Amy Schade, Will and Kellen DeKok; 13 great grandchildren; three sisters; two brothers and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Hofmeyer; her parents William and Matilda Korver; and two brothers, Calvin Korver and Arian Korver.