Bernard "Bernie" G. Wissink

Bernard “Bernie” G. Wissink

Sheldon, Iowa

            Funeral services for Bernie Wissink, age 95, who passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center.   His funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, February 19, 2024, at First Reformed Church in Sheldon with Paul Van Maaren, officiating. 

            Military graveside service by McGlothlen-Cowie Post 145 of the Sheldon American Legion will be at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

            Visitation with family present will be from 4 to 6 P.M. on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

             In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145 of Sheldon American Legion or Sanford Home Health and Hospice.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

BERNARD “BERNIE” G. WISSINK

BORN

May 19, 1928

Rock Valley, Iowa

PASSED AWAY

February 15, 2024

Sheldon, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE

10:30 A.M. Monday, February 19, 2024

First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Paul Van Maaren ~ Officiating

MUSIC

“Amazing Grace”

Sung By:  Brian Tutje

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

“It Is Well With My Soul”

Organist:  Ingetta Tutje

CASKET BEARERS

Bradley Wissink                                         Dennis Wissink

Mark Wissink                                  David Vander Griend

Ray Amsler                                                   Justin Wissink

FINAL RESTING PLACE

East Lawn Cemetery

Sheldon, Iowa

Military Rights Presented By:

McGlothlen-Cowie Post #145 of the Sheldon American Legion.

After today’s graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements are under the care of the 

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

Bernard Gerald Wissink was born on May 19, 1928 to Gerrit and Bertha (Vande Weerd) Wissink, in rural Rock Valley, Iowa. During the Depression, when Bernie was four years old, his parents lost the farm so they moved in with his Grandma Anna Wissink in Rock Valley. He attended Rock Valley Public School and graduated in 1945. After graduation, he attended Coyne Electric trade school in Chicago for one year. Returning to Rock Valley, he helped Len Van Noort rebuild his salvage business after Len returned from serving in World War II. During those years, he played semi-pro baseball and was also on a semi-pro roller-skating dance team. In 1949, he purchased a new Ford convertible which he enjoyed driving for ten years. He began working for Iowa Public Service Company in 1950 in Storm Lake, Iowa. He was drafted into the Korean War in February 1951 and served stateside until February 1953. He then returned to work for IPS in Cherokee, Iowa and was later transferred to Sheldon. There he met an old skating friend, Gladys Kuiper.

     On September 7, 1956, he united in marriage with Gladys, and they made their home in Sheldon. Bernie and Gladys were members of the First Reformed Church in Sheldon where he served without hesitation wherever he was needed; deacon, Sunday school teacher, and the keeper of the church sign. He always had just the right saying or quote for the sign. Bernie had a volunteer’s heart and this started early on as he played Santa Claus for family and neighbors. This blossomed into something bigger as he was asked to play the role for the city which he did for 58 years. After retirement, service to his community expanded through his work with Hospice, the American Legion, the Avenue of Flags, and the Civic Music Association. In the American Legion, he served as Local Post #145 Commander for many years, 9^th District Commander for two terms, Department Vice Commander, and served on many different department committees. One of the projects he was most proud of during his time as Post Commander, was the replacement of the old Veterans Memorial with the new Sheldon Veterans Memorial in the City Park. 

     While all of this was important to him, nothing compared to time spent with Gladys and his children. Many special memories were made camping, hunting, fishing, and on road trips to Colorado. In later years, he cherished his time pheasant hunting with his sons and any time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gladys passed away on March 8, 2002, and he has cherished her memory every day since. 

     Bernie went to meet his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Sanford Sheldon Medical Center surrounded by loving family members. 

     He leaves to cherish his memory, five children; Debra (Dave) Vander Griend of Wichita, Kansas; Brad (Cindy Calsyn) Wissink of Ames, Iowa; Dennis (Robin) Wissink of Early, Iowa; Judi (Ray) Amsler of Hiawatha, Iowa; and Mark (Frances) Wissink of Brighton, Colorado.  He is also survived by eleven grandchildren; Jill (Chris) Mitchell, April Pannell, Justin (Melissa) Wissink, Jenny (Jordyn) Spahr, Alyssa Calsyn, Erin (Josh) Mohr, Molly Wissink, Jackie (Wes) Sturtz, Zach (Jayden) Amsler, Austin Wissink, and Mila Wissink; and 15 great-grandchildren.

     Bernie was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Wissink; his parents; an infant son, Gerald Wissink; a grandson, Brian Wissink; and sisters Marian Engel and Jane VandeStouwe.