Raymond Van Prooyen

Raymond “Ray” Van Prooyen, age 85, of Dyer, IN, was transformed to glory on Sunday, October 9, 2016. Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Van Prooyen, nee Monsma; son Phillip Van Prooyen and daughter Christi (Ed) Rogala; five grandchildren: Laura Van Prooyen, Megan (Mitch) Malecki, Sarah Van Prooyen, April (Jeremy) Campbell, and Adam Rogala; four great- grandchildren: Cameron and Cadence Campbell, Brady Malecki, and Vaughn Van Prooyen. Special brother and fishing buddy Jack (Pat) Van Prooyen, and sisters Irene (Clarence) Menninga and Marti (Eriks) Minix. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families; friends, employees and customers, all who enjoyed Ray’s quick wit and amusing stories. Ray was preceded by his siblings Gerrit, John, Harold, and Charles Van Prooyen, and Anne Wall. He was born on May 29, 1931 to Jacob and Jennie (Smit) Van Prooyen. Visitation Wednesday, October 12, 2016 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane (Rt.30/Pleasant Springs Ln.) Dyer, IN. Visitation will also be held Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. at Bethel Christian Reformed Church (3500 Glenwood-Lansing Rd. Lansing, IL) with services conducted by Dr. Jeff Hale. Private Interment Oak Ridge Cemetery – Lansing, IL. Ray is a 1949 graduate of Illiana Christian High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force four years, one in Korea. Former co-owner of five Pit Stop “500” oil change stores in Illinois, former employee of both Highland and Schererville Lumber Companies and owner of the Lake County Garden Center in Highland, IN. Member of Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church. Memorial contributions may be given to Emmanuel Church (22515 Torrence Ave. Sauk Village, IL 60411) or William J. Riley Hospice House (511 Otis Bowen Drive, Munster, IN 46321). For further information, please contact 219-322-7300.