Clifford Jacob Verheyen

Clifford Jacob Verheyen, 80, Allouez, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2010 at his home that he built himself. He was born March 15, 1930 in Morrison, WI, son of the late John and Caroline (Kirkhoff) Verheyen, where he was one of nineteen children. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1948. While serving in occupied Japan, his unit was called to action to the Korean Peninsula. From the onset of the conflict, he served as an infantryman with the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, where he served with distinction. Clifford participated in most battles, including the battle of Porkchop Hill. During his tour of service he was wounded several times and received three Purple Hearts. After his recovery and discharge from the Army in 1952, he found employment with Hougard Construction Company as a concrete finisher. Soon after he was employed by Ft. Howard Paper Co. for 38 ½ years; retiring in 1992. He married Joanne Ruth Arcand on May 8, 1954 at Annunciation Catholic Church, Green Bay. Cliff was an avid big game hunter, but mostly moose hunting was his favorite game animal. He had taken many friends, co-workers and brothers to hunt moose in the Pink Mountains of British Colombia. He enjoyed cooking… booyah, caramel corn, eggrolls were his specialties. He enjoyed fishing, friends and family, and he like to tinker; there wasn’t too many things he couldn’t fix. He also had great carpentry skills and had built many things for friends and family. He was a member of the Belleuve VFW Post 9677. Cliff was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many. He has touched the lives of so many and will truly be missed. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 57 years, Joanne, Allouez; his children and spouses: Victoria and Carl Van Dera, Freedom; Richard and Susie Ulmen Verheyen, Denmark; Teresa and Joe Zepnick, Pulaski; and Julie and Jim Van Ess, Pulaski; grandchildren: Kristina Van Dera, Benjamin, Nicole and Emily Verheyen, Tresza Zepnick, and Jessica and Jacob Van Ess; brothers: Bernie and Elaine Verheyen, Cletus Verheyen, Cyril and Mary Verheyen, Darrell Verheyen and fiancé Margean; sisters: Florence Gardipee, Mary and Joe Kunesh, Nola and Fabian Rentmeester; and Ilene and Lloyd Sigl; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty Verheyen, James Devroy, Delores Verheyen, Richard Arcand; and many nieces and nephews. Cliff was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Kathy; parents; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Arlene and Archie Arcand; brothers and sisters: Elmer Verheyen, Alvin Verheyen, John Verheyen, Jr., Evelyn Geurts, Judy Devroy, Raymond Verheyen, Harold Verheyen, Clayton Verheyen, Juleen Scray; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary and Tom Kobriger, Virginia Arcand, Lillian Verheyen, Bud Geurts, Will Lhost, Patricia Verheyen, Carl Gardipee, and Bernard Scray. Family and friends may call Tuesday, November 23, 2010 (TODAY) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, where there will be a Parish Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Allouez. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at church, with Fr. Larry Seidl officiating. Entombment will be in Allouez Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to extend a warm thank you to Cliff and Joanne’s son-in-law and friend, Carl Van Dera, who diligently cared for and provided much comfort for the family the past 6 months, and to the wonderful staff at Unity Hospice for their kindness and compassion.