Richard VanderBaan

Whitinsville – Richard VanderBaan, 92, of Maplecrest Rd., Fort Wayne, Indiana and a former longtime resident of Purgatory Rd., died Thurs. July 8, 2010 at his home. He was the husband of Wilma D. (VanGorp) VanderBaan.

He operated, and later owned, the former VanderBaan’s Supermarket along with his four brothers, retiring in 1980 after 40 years of employment.

Mr. VanderBaan was born Jan. 14, 1918 in Whitinsville, the son of the late John and Minnie (Zylstra) VanderBaan Sr. He graduated from Northbridge High School and then attended Business College. He had been a lifelong resident of Whitinsville, prior to moving to Indiana.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII.

Mr. & Mrs. VanderBaan were to observe their 70th wedding anniversary on July 25, 2010.

Dick and Wilma moved to Indiana in 2000 and are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Mr. VanderBaan was a former member of the Board of Directors for Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitinsville for several years beginning 1974, and served as Treasurer for 12 years. He was a member of the school board and the building committee for the Whitinsville Christian School.

Mr. VanderBaan was a Corporator for the former Whitinsville Savings Bank and a member of the Board of Investments retiring in 1975. He was a longtime member of the Fairlawn Christian Reformed Church in Whitinsville and a member of the church’s men’s Bible study group. He had served as choir director, elder and member of many boards for the church. Mr. VanderBaan was a tenor soloist and choral director in the area for many years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters; Susan G. VanderBaan and Barbara J. and her husband Richard Resch, all of Fort Wayne, IN, one sister Joanne DeJong of Orland Park, IL, 3 grandchildren; Jonathan Van Noord, Matthew Resch and Allison Breininger, 4 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 4 brothers, Hein, John, Herman and James VanderBaan and 2 sisters; Sadie Ebbeling and Jacoba Baker.

Graveside services, with Full Military Honors, will be held Fri. July 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave., Whitinsville 01588.

Visiting hours will be held Thurs. July 15, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM in the BUMA FUNERAL HOME, 480 Church St., Whitinsville, MA 01588.

Memorial donations may be made to the Whitinsville Christian School, 279 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, MA 01588.