Josephus Cornelis Vandengoorbergh

Josephus "Joe" Cornelis Vandengoorbergh, Past Commander of AMVETS, 72 of Vermilion, died Friday, December 18, 2009 at home surrounded by his family and loved ones while under the care of Western Reserve Hospice. He was born March 1, 1937 in Haarlem, Netherlands and for the past 40 years resided in Vermilion. Joe was European educated, spoke 3 languages, served in the Dutch Merchant Marines, and the U.S. Army. He was presently serving as a member of the AMVETS National Service Foundation. Joe worked as the Chief Estimator for Span Master of Jervis B. Webb Company, Avon, OH for 24 years. For the past 13 years Joe and the members of AMVETS Service Foundation along with the McCormick Foundation have donated yearly overseas carillons for the American WWII Veterans at their cemeteries in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Northern Africa and Italy. The past 30 years Joe has worked for Veterans rights. He testified before Congress in 1998 and attended the inaugurations of the last 3 presidents. He was a guest at various White House functions. He served on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Department of AMVETS. He also served as the National Commander of AMVETS from 1997-1998, Ohio Department Commander of AMVETS from 1992-1993, and Commander of Vermilion Post #22 from 1976-1977. In 1993 Joe was named the AMVETS Department Commander of the Year and in 1996 he was the Man of the Year for AMVETS Vermilion Post #22. He received the Anchor Award in 1997 given by the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce, and in 1998 was the recipient of the Four Chaplains' Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion. For many years Joe donated his time and energies to the Vermilion Post #22 as their Canteen Manager, retiring in 2008. Joe was also a member of the American Legion Post #424, VFW Post # 7576, and he enjoyed traveling. He was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Survivors include his wife Margarita "Rita" Ward Vandengoorbergh (nee Mihalis), sons, Michael (Jill) Vandengoorbergh of Ross, CA, and William (Michele) Ward of Avon; grandchildren, Joseph and Michael Vandengoorbergh and William, Julia, and Elizabeth Ward; sisters: Dita Molegraaf, Joke Haveman, and Jeanne Vandengoorbergh all of Holland; mother-in-law, Wilma Mihalis of Elyria; sister-in-law Rosalie Mihalis of Elyria; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Josephus Cornelis and Dieuwertje (nee Kuyl) Vandengoorbergh, and brother-in- law, Henk Haveman. Friends may call Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio. Services will be held at the Riddle Funeral Home, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009 at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion where the Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct military honors. Contributions may be made to the AMVETS Post # 22 in his memory , P.O. Box 199, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com