Peter Van Dongen

Racine- Peter Van Dongen, 84, passed away on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 in Milwaukee at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. Peter was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on April 11, 1922 to the late Johanes Gerardos and Johanna (nee: Kraamer) Van Dongen. At age 15, he began employment with the Holland America Cruise Line, allowing him the chance to come to the United States for the first time. Proud of becoming an American, Peter faithfully joined the Army 505th First Airborne Battalion in WWII on February 25, 1943. He served our Country in Italy, France and eventually was captured as a POW in Belgium. Peter earned and was awarded several service medals including the Purple Heart. After being rescued, he was honorably discharged on October 23, 1945. Peter was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Anna Stella on February 6, 1943 in New Jersey. They lived most of their life in Wayne, N.J. until retiring to Hendersonville, N.C. As their health began to decline, they came to Racine in 2005 to live with their daughter, Jacalyn Piparo-Klein. Peter was employed as a molding supervisor at Mack Wayne Plastics, now known as the West Company, He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church, VFW Post 7467, and the American Ex-Prisoners of Wars. Among his interests, Peter enjoyed volunteering with blood banks, Red Cross, and various meal programs for the homeless. A “jack of all trades”, he also was willing and able to help family and friends with any project needed. Peter was an avid fisherman along with his fishing buddy (grandson), Joe Hoffmann. Above all, he loved being in the surroundings of his entire family and absolutely cherished being a grandfather. Surviving are his loving wife, Mary Anna; children, Shirley Ann (Joseph) Hoffmann of Auburn, NH; Peter (Madeline) Van Dongen Jr. of Hopatcong, N.J.; Jacalyn (Ken) Piparo-Klein of Racine; and Alan Van Dongen of Lincoln Park, N.J.; grandchildren, Kim (Scott) Metzel, Joseph (Michelle) Hoffmann, Dawn (Derek) Hodson, Jonathan Hoffmann, Madeline “Sherri” (William) O’Keefe, Matthew Van Dongen, Carrie Piparo, Danielle (Daniel) Morris, Kristyn (Ryan Lowe) Piparo; 9 great- grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Anthony Stella of Pennsylvania and Bep de Zoete of Dordrecht, Holland; many other special relatives and friends in the US and the Netherlands. In addition to his parents, Peter was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Shayla Lowe; sister, Enrika “Rita” de Zoete; and brother, Rinus Van Dongen. A Memorial Service celebrating Peter’s life will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Saturday, July 1, 2006 at 10:00 am with Rev. Holly Anderle officiating. Military honors will follow. There will be time to visit with the family on Saturday from 9-10 am. In memory of Peter, memorials to the Racine Zoological Society or to the Racine Veterans Center have been suggested. Special note of thanks to Cathy Creed at the VA Medical Center-Ashville; All Saints Dialysis-West; Kristin Nisiewicz of the VA Medical Center-Milwaukee; and to Peter’s pastor and friend, Rev. Dewey Barnwell; for the compassionate care and support that was so warmly extended to Peter and our family. God bless all of you!