Obituary of Emma Jean Van Gorp

Emma Jean Van Gorp, 85, passed away on Tuesday evening, April 26, 2011, in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30th, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday and visitation with the family will be held 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are being designated to First Assembly of God or Hospice of Jasper County. Emma Jean, the daughter of Chester and Mary (DeGraff) Meyers, was born October 6, 1925 near Prairie City. She was a graduate of the Monroe High School, Class of 1943. Emma Jean taught rural country school for three years. On May 15, 1946, Emma Jean was united in marriage with Laverne Van Gorp, in Monroe. Together they made their home near Reasnor. They were members of the First Assembly of God. Emma Jean devoted her life to her family. She enjoyed her grandchildren, flowers and gardening. Emma Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Laverne Sr. on March 24, 2002; her sister, Carrie Jane Meyers and her sister-in-law, Myrna Meyers. Those left to honor Emma Jean's memory include her daughter, Mary (John) Cooper of Eldon; her sons: Laverne (Violet) Van Gorp Jr. of Newton, Paul (Carol) Van Gorp of Springfield, MO and Gary (Marietta) Van Gorp of Greeley, CO; her fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; her brother, Clarence Meyers of Pella; and her many friends.