Helen Ruth Van Hoesen

Helen Ruth Van Hoesen, 99, of Peoria, formerly of East Peoria, died and was promoted to the presence of Christ at 10:47pm Thursday, March 12, 2015 in Peoria. Helen was born January 26, 1916, in Schenectady, N.Y., the daughter of Henry and Jessie (Stirling) Schroeder. On April 26, 1941, Helen married John William Van Hoesen, whom she had met at Scotia High School. He preceded her in death in 2007 after 66 years of marriage. She is survived by her five children: John Van Hoesen of Anchorage, Alaska; William (Janette) Van Hoesen of Bethalto, Illinois; Robert (Dana) Van Hoesen of Gays Mills, Wisconsin; Gary (Donna) Van Hoesen of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Susan (Ron) Hatfield of Loves Park, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Jason Van Hoesen, Joshua (Abbey) Van Hoesen, Jonathan (Crysta) Van Hoesen, David (Carrie) Van Hoesen, John (Andria) Hatfield, Diane (Tim) Buller, and Marie (Ethan) Crane, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren; a nephew, Ken (Mary) Sipley; and other extended family members. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and her only sibling, Jesse (Clif) Sipley. She grew up in Scotia, N.Y., and graduated from Scotia High School. Helen was proud of her work at a Scotia-area landscape nursery, which led to a lifelong love of plants, flowers and the outdoors. She also loved to make candles and collect unusual candles. Helen and John settled in the Peoria, Ill. area shortly after their marriage, where she and John spent their entire married life, raising five children in East Peoria. Helen and John loved camping with their family; because his work schedule as a riverboat pilot entitled him to extended time off, the family was able to enjoy long vacations together, once visiting national parks throughout the western US on a memorable 8-week vacation. The family was involved in trailering for nearly 40 years with the Wally Byam International Airstream travel club, attending numerous trailer rallies in the Midwest. Helen and John traveled extensively, including three trips to Mexico and nearly a dozen to Alaska. Helen and John were active members of The Salvation Army church, attending the Peoria Citadel Corps with their family while in the Peoria area. Helen enjoyed singing in the church, both in the choir and as a frequent soloist. Up until her death, she still enjoyed playing the piano. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory in East Peoria. A service will follow at the funeral home. Majors Gary and Donna Van Hoesen of The Salvation Army will be officiating. Burial will be in the Fondulac Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Salvation Army Kings Lake Camp, P.O. Box 200387, Anchorage, Alaska 99520.

Helen Ruth Van Hoesen

January 26, 1916 - March 12, 2015