Ebbele Dam

Visitation for Ebbele Dam, 90, of Momence will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Momence Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Locust St., in Momence and also at 10 a.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, 2268 N State Route 1-17, in Momence. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Clarence Reyneveld will officiate. Burial will be in the Momence Cemetery, Momence. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Kankakee Valley. He died peacefully early Monday (September 24, 2012) at his home. Mr. Dam was born August 23, 1922, in Munnekezijl, the Netherlands, the son of Douwe and Sara Dam. He spent much of World War II in hard labor camps and later enlisted in the Dutch Marines to help bring an end to the war. Mr. Dam received his military training at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina where he fell in love with America. He married Clara Diepeveen on December 16, 1953, and they emigrated to the United States in 1957 and settled in Momence. He worked at Bennett''s Industries in Peotone for 18 years and 10 more at Allied Steel in Chicago Heights. Mr. Dam enjoyed working in his garden, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. Surviving are his wife, Clara, of Momence; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Paula Dam of Aurora; two daughters and sons-in-law, Vera and Jack Grady of Buchanan, NY., Arlene and John Jacobs of Downers Grove; six grandchildren, Jake and Michael Dam, Kevin and Sean Grady, John Robert and Clare Jacobs; two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, Dirk Diepeveen of Bourbonnais, Albert and Theresa Diepeveen of Bourbonnais; two brothers and sisters-in-law Doeke and Jeltje Dam of the Netherlands, Gerard and Pietje Dam of the Netherlands; one sister, Tine Duiveman of the Netherlands; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.