Charles Lee Vander Ploeg was born on September 14, 1928, in Pella, Iowa. He was the son of the late Nicholas and Mattie Van Zee Vander Ploeg. Charles attended the Pella Christian Grade School and graduated from Pella Community High School in May, 1946. Chuck enjoyed playing sports in high school. He also participated in music groups, boys quartet, glee club, mixed chorus and band. Chuck enrolled in Central College at Pella.

On September 2, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Heerema. In college, Chuck still enjoyed playing basketball and football and graduated from Central College in 1950. Chuck enrolled in law school at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa while Bernice worked as a secretary.

He then enlisted in the Iowa National Guard and was drafted into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Chuck served in Bangor, Maine and was discharged from Dow Air Force in June, 1952. They then returned to Des Moines where Chuck finished law school, graduating from Drake University Law School with a LLB Degree in June, 1953.

Their lives then took them to Tama, Iowa where he practiced law and then Oskaloosa, Iowa where he became an insurance adjuster. In 1959 they returned to Pella, Iowa where they raised their three children: Carla Jeanne, James Charles and Thomas Lee. Chuck became Sr. Vice President of the then Pella National Bank in Pella and served this institution well. He retired in September 1991, saw this institution through many banking changes and was still serving on the bank board.

Chuck also served the Community of Pella as well. He had been a member and president of the Pella Kiwanis Club for many years, the Pella High School Booster Club and the American Legion. He used his financial acumen to support and assist in community drives for the Volksweg Drive and the Hospice of Pella Comfort House, as well as private senior citizens. Chuck appropriately received the Community Service Award in 2000. Chuck and Bernice were also faithful supporters of Central College. In 2008, they were chosen and honored by Central College as Mr. and Mrs. Alumni. Chuck remained a lifelong sports fan and, in later years, added tennis and golf to his repertoire.

Chuck was baptized at First Christian Reformed Church in Pella and made profession of his faith there in 1944. They later changed their membership to First Reformed Church where he remained a faithful member. He served as an Elder and a Deacon for several terms, had been Youth Fellowship Leader, served on various church committees and was active in family night activities.

Chuck remained faithful to his beloved wife, Bernice, for over 60 years. As Bernice's memory began to fail, Chuck attended to and fulfilled her needs until she passed away on April 16, 2010. Chuck accepted her death but mourned her passing. For Chuck, life was never quite the same without Bernice.

On Sunday evening, December 19, 2010, Chuck passed away in the Peace Room at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 82 years.

He will long be remembered by his three children and their families:

Carla and Paul Thomassen of Pella, IA; Vicki and Kevin Rahn, Kathi and Tony Beach, Michelle Thomassen

James and Elizabeth (Seawalt) Vander Ploeg of Highlands Ranch, CO; Amy Vander Ploeg, Karen Vander Ploeg, Aidan Seawalt; Tristan Seawalt; Quinn Seawalt;

Tom and Kim (Bair) Vander Ploeg of Shenandoah, IA; Amber and Paul Tompkins; Dougie and Ann Marie McBride; Stacy and Jeremy Bill; Kelly and Jay Reed; Heather and Jake Polsley; Heidi and Charlie Pool; Nick and Erinn Carlson; Kasey and Jolynn Carlson; Annie and TommyCrimmins; Spencer Carlson.

20 great grandchildren

two sisters: Dorothy (Ed) Kallemyn of Des Moines, Iowa; Gertrude "Trudy" (Harry) Goettsch of Jefferson, Iowa

sisters-in-law: Harriet (John R.) Vander Ploeg, Ruth (Heerema) Squibb and Elva May Heerema all of Pella, Iowa.

Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice;

a daughter-in-law, Yoli (McBride) Vander Ploeg;

his parents, Nick and Mattie Vander Ploeg;

his brother, John R. (Bud) Vander Ploeg;

brothers-in-law: Ed Kallemyn and Wayne Durlam;

parents-in-law, Pieter and Jeneke Vander Beek Heerema;

stepmother-in-law, Dena (Peter) Heerema;

brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Robert and Viola Heerema, Fred and Polly Heerema, Ralph and Frances Heerema, Martin J. Heerema and Darwin G. Squibb.

Information supplied by Ron Steenhoek.