The Life of RALPH A VAN DER BEEK
Ralph A Van Der Beek, 79, of the 5900 block of Winwood Drive, Johnston, died of complications of Alzheimer''s disease Friday at Bishop Drumm Care Center there. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Mr. Van Der Beek was born in Pella and had lived in Chicago before moving to Des Moines in 1948. He moved to Johnston in 2001. He was a retired supervisor with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Des Moines. He was an Army Air Forces and Army veteran of World War II, when he was awarded a Bronze Star. He had served in the Iowa National Guard and on the Polk County water district board. He had been a volunteer with the Salvation Army and enjoyed bowling and golfing.
He is survived by his wife, Helen; a son, Bruce of Des Moines; four daughters, Barbara McClung of Hanlontown; Suzan Bedsaul of Omaha, Ruth Strunk of Des Moines, and Joyce Kopecky of Ankeny; and nine grandchildren.
Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Hamilton''s Near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until the time of services Monday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to his church, North Senior Citizens Center of Des Moines or the Bishop Drumm Foundation.>>