Edward G. Mulderink, 83, of Delavan, passed away Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, at his beloved home farm after 18 years battling cancer.
He was born in Blue Island, Ill., on July 18, 1931, the son of Robert G. and Mary (Rauwolf) Mulderink. Ed was the sixth of 10 children and the twin to William. He graduated Blue Island High School in 1950. On Oct. 30, 1954, Ed married Rosemary V. Heintz at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Calumet Park, Ill., and together they had 12 children.
He was strongly dedicated to farming in any aspect from tilling and planting to milking the cows. Ed acquired his farm on March 5, 1959, and worked and remained there until his passing. He had strong virtues of patience, persistence and determination. He was a man willing to give help to anyone for anything. Ed was friendly, witty and offered advice freely. His smile was well observed.
Ed’s talents were many – woodworking, masonry, welding, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical. He was also an innovator. His knowledge extended from horse-pulling power to current diesel power.
Ed was a member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and respected Sunday as a day of rest. He was active in St. Andrew’s Parish as an usher, janitor and maintenance man.
His farm was known for raising and selling sweet corn and pumpkins for many years and for the use of his converted hay mow to provide family Halloween parties for the past 15 years.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Rose; his children, Edward (Phyllis) Mulderink, Christine (Barry) Kjelland, Virginia (Charles) Terpstra, Monica (Fernando) Moreno, Rose (John) Probst, Theresa (Kimball) Fuiks, Lucy (Pete Hauns) Mulderink, Anne (Randy) Kirkpatrick, Mary (Charles) Mulderink-Carlson, Joan (Leroy) Zomer and Jean (Grant) Jacobs. He is further survived by 32 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Lorang; and three brothers, James (Phyllis) Mulderink, Ben (Delores) Mulderink and George Mulderink. Ed was preceded in passing by his son, Leo Robert, on Aug. 7, 1964; his brothers, Robert (Marcella), Raymond, William and Joseph Mulderink; his sister, Dorothy; and his brother-in-law, Vince Lorang.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Delavan. Visitation will be Wednesday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church from 9:30 a.m. to the time of service.
Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan is assisting the family.
