C. David Van Rees, 75, passed away Sunday evening, Mar. 10, 2019, surrounded by his family at his residence in Lynnville. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 14, at Lynnville Friends Church. Interment was in Sully Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested for the Sully Fire and Ambulance.
Clarence David Van Rees was the youngest of five children born to Lawrence and Wilma (Lanser) Van Rees. He was born June 1, 1943, in Oskaloosa and grew up on a farm with his four older sisters, Lenora, Henrietta, and twins Joyce and Joan, before moving into Sully at the age of 12 years. Dave, as he was known, attended Sully Christian School and was active as a young boy in 4-H, raising hogs and calves and then showing them at the Jasper County Fair in Colfax. He graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School with the Class of 1962 and then from a mechanical trade school in Kansas City. Dave worked on the farm with his brother-in-law, Wilford Laverman, and then began working with his dad hauling lime and rock. Dave and Barbara were united in marriage and to this union six children were born: Machelle, Denee, Devorah, Shannon, Justin, and Regina, who survive him.
In 1976, Dave expanded the trucking business, which is known today as Rees Lease, Inc.
On July 1, 1978, he and Bonnie Lou Dop were united in marriage, and together they raised Justine Lynn in Lynnville. Dave and Bonnie worked together their entire married life, Dave in the truck and/or in the office with Bonnie always by his side. They worked for Dieomatic, Werner Enterprises for 10 years and Midwest Coast for the last 31 years. Jan Conover, Sharon Renaud, and Sharla Van Wyk were faithful co-workers. Dave was still working full-time, trucking and operating the business with Bonnie.
The theme on every truck was a dove as an insignia of their faith. Dave was baptized as an infant at Sully Christian Reformed Church, and on Dec. 16, 1983, he reaccepted Jesus into his heart and was devoted to serving a Christ-like life.
Together, Dave and Bonnie traveled the majority of the 48 states, enjoying Daytona races with annual Florida vacations and attending many NASCAR races with family and friends. They were avid sprint car fans and enjoyed the weekly races. Together, they attended 10 mission trips with the Texico group. In their free time, they never missed an activity of their grandchildren, Ethan and Ashlee Wyma, and thoroughly enjoyed being with family.
Dave leaves his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Justine and her husband, Mark Wyma of Sully; his grandchildren; two sisters: Henrietta Laverman and Joan Verhey, both of Pella; his brother-in-law, Charles Brand of Newton; and sisters-in-law: Charly (Dop) Gregory of Grinnell and Marilyn (Dop) Shaffer of Des Moines.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters: Lenora and her husband, Bernie Nikkel, and Joyce Brand; and his brothers-in-law, Ben Verhey and Wilford Laverman.
Dave was a member of the million mile club, received many trucking safety awards, and the Best Dad Award! He enjoyed Promise Keepers activities and serving with Glenn and Coleen Van Dyke at Hope Ministries in Des Moines. He was an active member of the Lynnville Friends Church in Lynnville with missions, serving on the council, teaching Sunday school, and participating in children’s church and Vacation Bible School. Dave had a deep knowledge of the Bible and earnestly worked to learn its teachings in order to live more like Jesus in his daily life.
