John "Fat Dad" VanHerzeele Jr.

John “Fat Dad” VanHerzeele Jr., age 73, of Atkinson, IL, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 1st, 2023. A graveside funeral service will be held on Monday, July 10th, 2023 at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Atkinson, Pastor Terry Lancaster will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the John T. VanHerzeele memorial fund. Online condolinces may be left at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com.

John was born on July 3rd, 1949 in Atkinson, IL the son of  John T. and F. Marie (Carter) VanHerzeele Sr. John graduated from Atkinson Highschool in 1967. He married the love of his life Eileen VanOpdorp on August 12, 1972, she preceded him in death on November 21, 2021. John retired from John Deere Harvester after working there for 30 years in many different capacities. He loved watching sports especially the Chicago Bears, the Fighting Illini, and the New York Yankees. He enjoyed gardening, reading and collecting books and collecting old vinyl records.

Those left to charish “Fat Dad’s”  memory are his two sons; Seth of Hartsel, CO,  Jake (Cassie) of Geneseo, one daughter; Holly (Eric) Johnson of Atkinson, one granddaughter; Clarabelle, 5 nephews and one niece.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr., and Florence, his wife Eileen and two brothers Tim and Tom.