Eldred E Van Gorp

Eldred E. Van Gorp, 98, of Newton; formerly of Sully died on Monday, June 22, 2026, at Newton Village. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at the First Reformed Church in Sully.  The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. - 1p.m., prior to the service in the Gathering Place at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Newton Village Activity Fund or Iowa River Hospice may be left at the church the day of the service or at the funeral home.

       The journey of life for Eldred Van Gorp began on August 13, 1927 at home on the family farm near Reasnor, Iowa. The second oldest of 5 children born to Robert and Celia (Millgate) Van Gorp, he attended the country school, called Little School, just down the road and graduated from the 8 th grade class of only 2. He did not enjoy school but at 4 thought he might. So he walked there (without telling anyone) and barked like a dog on the outside step. The teacher called his Mom and he got a “whippin’” all the way home. He was quite ornery and because he didn’t like his Grandma Millgate’s second husband, one day he locked him in the outhouse - which got him another “whippin’”. As a young boy, he flew kites on top of the Reasnor Hill and learned to swim when his dad made him jump off the Red Bridge into the river. He swam there a lot and had a scar on top of his head to prove the water was too high to come up under the bridge! Bike riding, drawing, fishing, ice skating, mushroom, hickory nut and fox hunting were all activities he enjoyed. In 1946 he met the love of his life, Grace Van Wyk, on a Sunday night in Pella and on February 14, 1950 they were married at the church parsonage in Sully with a reception at her parents’ home. They rented a farm near Reasnor and were blessed with a son, Verlan Ernest, and a daughter, Sheryl “Sherry” Ardith. He was proud to say his father taught him everything he knew about farming which he truly loved. A day in the life of Eldred consisted of corn and hay fields and taking care of dairy cows, stock cows, calves, hogs and chickens. But no sheep or goats because according to him, they were worthless! Sadly in 1979 when their farm was sold, they moved to Sully. With their hearts still on the farm, they transitioned to “town life” but Eldred was able to keep farming part time by helping his brother, Carroll, on the family farm. He helped pick the squirrel ear corn and then bagged it to sell while sitting on two milk crates duct taped together with a cushion on top. In 1980 he used his carpenter skills with his son’s business, Van Gorp Pole Builders, and enjoyed pointing out all the buildings they built around the area. The yearly Minnesota family fishing trips resulted in lots of pictures, memories, and four mounted bass on his wall. And he could tell you exactly where in the lakes they were caught! He was very particular about mowing his lawn and weeding the garden. Eldred served on the Sully Coop Board and was a Charter Member of the Lynnville Golf Course when it first opened (he might have been the only golfer out there in bibbed overalls!) He transitioned to care giver for Grace and helped her with Sully Casey’s store laundry each week. When her Alzheimer’s progressed to needing more care, Grace and Eldred moved to Newton Village Assisted March 2013. They enjoyed meeting new friends and all the activities together. April 2015, Grace moved to Newton Village Long Term Care and every day was spent with her even though she didn’t recognize him and couldn’t talk. When she passed December 6, 2017, he would tell everyone he was so thankful Grace introduced him to Jesus early on in their 67 years of marriage and became a Christian. Eldred was a member of Sully First Reformed Church and faithfully attended until they moved to Newton. Every morning before breakfast, he would read his Bible, keep track of the verses he read, and could be heard praying out loud. He would readily share “Jesus is in Paradise and waiting to take us there when we die if we believe.”

       Those left to honor his memory include his two children: Verlan (Michelle) Van Gorp and Sheryl “Sherry” (Alan) Vander Linden; six grandchildren: Ami (Eric) Burns, Tony (Ellen) Vander Linden, Scott (Chelsea) Van Gorp, Eric (Janell) Van Gorp, Amber (Chad) Watters and Ashley Wissler; eleven great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Joyce (Carl) De Goey, Darlene (Harris) Vos, Helen (Verlan) Brand, Carolyn Vande Voort, Judy (Ed) Van Kooten; and many nieces and nephews.

       He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Van Gorp; parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cornie & Artie Van Wyk; grandson in infancy, granddaughter, Heidi Van Gorp, and great-granddaughter, Emerson Watters in infancy; brothers and sisters: Laverne (Jean) Van Gorp, Sr., Carroll (Lois) Van Gorp, Wanda (Marion) Willemsen, Charlotte (Jerry) Damman; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Trudy(Raymond) Wehrle, June (Ron) Kramer, Walter (Harriet) Van Wyk, Arvin (Anna Mae) Van Wyk, Larry Vande Voort, and Harvey Gene Van Wyk, in infancy.

        After never having a broken bone, he suffered several fractures from a fall June 15 and was hospitalized. When physical  therapy was too painful, he was put into Hospice Care June 19 and with his children by his side, was welcomed peacefully into Jesus’ arms. Eldred lived a long full life and was given excellent care from the staff of Newton Village the past 13 years. He will be truly missed but Grace probably had a cup of coffee and cookie or peach pie waiting at the table and his fishing pole already baited.

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