William Nicholas 'Nick' Tazelaar

William Nicholas "Nick" Tazelaar, age 75 of Vermilion, died Saturday, April 10, 2010 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born October 5, 1934 in the Padang, Island of Sumatra, Dutch East Indies to John J. and Maria (nee Geurink) Tazelaar. At the age of 7, Nick and his entire family were held in a Japanese concentration camp for 4 years during WWII. He attended HTS University in Dordrecht and served in the Dutch Army. He married Wilhelmina J. on March 10, 1960 and shortly after they immigrated to the USA. The newly immigrated Tazelaar family lived in Cincinnati for a short time, and then moved to Gallipolis, Ohio before moving to the Lorain County area. The last 38 years have been spent in Vermilion. Nick received his education globally graduating as a Naval Architect and received his MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. He worked for the Bendix Corporation in Elyria, retiring in 1992. Nick worked in various other capacities in Cincinnati, Ludlow-Kentucky, Point Pleasant West Virginia, Sectional Die Co., Wellington, Ohio, General Motors and Delphi Packard Electric, both in Michigan; Falcon Trucking in Youngstown, Reality One and Life Care Ambulance. He was also an adult education instructor at LCCC and Lorain County JVS. Nick was a member of the Vermilion Evangelical and Reformed Church where he was past deacon and head usher. He was past president of the Netherlands American Society of Ohio. Nick has been an exemplary example of service as a Freemason. His memberships and affiliations are numerous and presently include Past Master of Ely Lodge #424, PB Morgan Chapter #233, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, life member of Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland and Masonic Veteran's Association, Past Patron of Eastern Star Madeline Chapter, Elyria Council #86, Holy Grail Commandery #70, Ohio Priory #18, Lorain County Scottish Rite Society, Golden Crescent High 12 Club #637, AMD North Central Council, Red Cross of Constantine, Holy Rood Conclave in Steubenville, and Past District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons 9th Capitular District of Ohio. His most recent initiation into the Ohio Chapter #70 of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon in the Province of the USA. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Wilhelmina J. Tazelaar of Vermilion; daughters, Karin M. West of Volusia County, Florida, Ingrid Wilhelmina Antoinette (John) Copeland of Lavergne, Tennessee and son, Ronald John Nicholas "RJ" (April) Tazelaar of Hermitage, Tennessee; grandchildren, Richard Nicholas Copeland, Chance Ian Copeland, Derek J. West and Gregory W. West; brother, Ronald Tazelaar of Holland. He was preceded-in-death by his parents, a son, Ronald John and sister, Sylvia Kitzen. Friends may call on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion. Eastern Star Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. followed by a Masonic Service. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Vermilion Evangelical & Reformed Church, Ohio at Grand Street, Vermilion. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. The family suggests memorial contributions to caringbridge.org, 1715 Yankee Doodle Rd. Suite 301, Eagan, MN 55121, or the Vermilion Evangelical and Reformed Church, Ohio at Grand St., Vermilion, Ohio. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com