Emil Richard Vanzieleghem

Emil Richard Dick VanZieleghem



Emil Richard Dick VanZieleghem, 64, of Cherry Valley, unexpectedly passed away early December 31, 2009. Born on January 22, 1945 in Chicago, IL, son to Emil F. amp; Olive R. (Redberg) VanZieleghem. He graduated from Dundee Community High School in 1963, proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967 and married Diana G. (Zipperer) VanZieleghem on March 28, 1970. Dick was known for his great sense of humor and he frequently repeated the same funny jokes and anecdotes year after year, which will be missed. He was a brilliant thinker. Like his father, he was a voracious reader and often quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson. He will be remembered as a loving husband, wonderful father, successful business owner and friend to many. He loved Diana, his wife of nearly 40 years, and she will miss her dancing partner and source of encouragement. Both of his girls, Jennifer and Heidi, made him very proud as strong women, business owners and mothers. He passionately loved spending time in Minnesota during the summer months and Arizona during the winter. Over the years both Dick and Diana developed many special relationships across the country. He enjoyed fishing, bicycling, model airplanes, photography, cutting trees, splitting wood, campfires, off-road day trips with his Jeep in the desert, and working every day on his computer. His latest pursuit was trap shooting, which he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at. At one time he had a private pilot license with instrument rating. He was a Constitutional Conservative and believed in our right to bear arms, minimal government and the personal responsibility that comes with freedom. Dick enjoyed sharing the experiences he had in the Army and was proud to be able to serve his country in that way. After the Army, he worked as a Programmer Analyst for Uarco, Inc. in Barrington, IL for 9 years before becoming the first distributor of Interstate Batteries in the Rockford, IL area in 1976. Dick and Diana took a chance on this new venture while still living in Lake in the Hills, IL, eventually moving to Stillman Valley and then Cherry Valley. Dick taught his employees to provide the best battery service and delivery in the market, with honesty and integrity. He took pride in selling a product that he believed in for a company that had high values and good old-fashioned business principles. After officially retiring in May of 2009, Dick was able to enjoy spending more time with family and friends and pursue his other interests. Dick was a strong person in mind and body. He was enthusiastic about life and quick to smile. His time with us was too short and he will be greatly missed.



Dick is survived by his wife, Diana; children, Jennifer VanZieleghem and Heidi (Rick) Britton; grandchildren, Amber (Mike) Sarver, Sierra Leek, Emily Britton, Thomas Britton, and Sydney Britton; and great-grandchildren, Logan and Aniyah Sarver. Dick was predeceased by his parents, sister, Ruth VanZieleghem, and grandson, Joshua Leek.







Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 5, 2009 at 11;00 A.M. at Maywood Evangelical Free Church, 3621 Samuelson Road, with Pastor Dave Currie officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be on Monday from 6 8 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Memorials may be made to the family. Family and friends may extend online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.