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Jacob Van Namen Obituary

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Jacob Van Namen

Orland Park, IL

October 23, 1922 - March 31, 2013

Jacob Van Namen Obituary

Jacob Van Namen, 90, an area businessman and prominent figure in the floral industry for four decades, died March 31 at his Palos Park home. Mr. Van Namen founded a multi-location wholesale distribution company, Vans Floral Products, based in Alsip, IL. A successful businessman in his native Holland, Mr. Van Namen immigrated to the United States in 1955 with his wife Rita and two young sons, Jack and John. The family settled in Chicago where Mr. Van Namen worked at a variety of jobs until being hired by DeBoer Wholesale Florists on Chicago’s South side. By 1960, he had become a partner in the business and soon assumed ownership of the company, which became known as Van's Wholesale Florists. "Van" grew the company from a single location in the Chicago area to 12 distribution centers in six states by the 1990s. As his family grew, his sons and daughter followed in their father's footsteps becoming active in the business, along with some of his grandsons in later years. Mr. Van Namen was involved with many non-profit and faith-based organizations. He served as a board member and officer for national floral associations and received numerous awards and industry recognition throughout his career. Mr. Van Namen promoted higher education as a trustee of Trinity Christian College (Palos Heights, IL), where he contributed to several campus building projects. A highlight in his life was being designated in 2001 as an Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau, the Netherlands' highest civilian honor, for his role in promoting and furthering Dutch-U.S. trade relations. Mr. Van Namen remained active in the business and influential in the industry into his early 80s. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Rita; loving father of Jack (Carolynn), John (Tracy), Joyce (Rick Mast), Jim (Barbara); dear father-in-law of Ineke and Cyndy; cherished grandfather of 13 and beloved great-grandfather of 15; preceded in death by a son, Tony, and a granddaughter, Jacqueline Van Namen Coakley. A scholarship has been established in honor of Jacob and Rita Van Namen through the American Floral Endowment. Friends and colleagues can also make a memorial gift to Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL, which Mr. Van Namen supported with his time and resources for many years. Visitation Wednesday, April 3, 2013 from 3-9 p.m. at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. Lying in State Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. at Faith Christian Reformed Church, 8383 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, IL. Burial will be private at Fairmount – Willow Hills Cemetery, Willow Springs, IL. Express your thoughts and condolences at www.colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400

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