Richard Vander Zee

Click here to VIEW Richard's Graveside Service

Richard Vander Zee , age 86, of South Holland, IL, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020 at St. James Hospital.  Beloved husband of Albertha Mae “Birdie” Vander Zee, nee Van Zanten.  Loving father of Joel (Rebecca) Vander Zee, Carl (Patsi) Vander Zee, Trent (Tracy) Vander Zee, Nathan Vander Zee, Vera Vander Zee, Hanna (Brian) Neradt and Evan Vander Zee.  Proud grandfather of 12 grandchildren. Dear brother of Andrew (Alberta) Vander Zee, Willard (Arlene) Vander Zee, Evelyn (Warren) Brunsting, the late Gerald Vander Zee and the late Joyce (Dave) Bloemendaal. Kind uncle of numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents John and Theressa Vander Zee.

Private family graveside service will be held Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery – Lansing, IL with Pastor Cary Gephart officiating. This service will be live streamed on Facebook from Smits Funeral Home website (www.SMITSFH.com). Memorial contributions may be given to Chicagoland Prison Outreach.  During this time of limited services, we encourage you to leave a message of condolence for the family on our online guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com. For further information, please contact 219-322-7300.

At 86 years, dear Rich breathed his last

‘Twas COVID that took him, and my, it went fast

Alzheimer’s had clouded his mind for some years

This last suffering added, brought us all to tears

Cherished husband and dad, was a great fix-it man

Made trellis, gazebo, and gardened a span

Loved puzzles and reading, wrote poetry—all kinds

But the Bible was what he put first in our minds

Served as elder, choir member at church Cottage Grove

Spoke up boldly if e’er from the truth one did rove

A love for the inmates kept him going back

To teach Bible and English with CPO pack (Chicagoland Prison Outreach)

Building homes and remodels became his “home work”

After teaching career had brought him full cirque

A faithful provider who spent with great care

So his seven young birdlets never lacked fare

He had married his “Birdie” at age thirty-four

After time spent in college, the Army, and more

When he joked, “Waited long, for so little” ‘bout his wife

Was her size, not her worth; she en-Rich-ed his life

In the Lord’s sight is precious the death of his saint

With our eyes on God’s promise, our hearts will not faint

Hear the words that serve as our balm in this strife:

“Though one dies, he shall live!” Christ is eternal life.