Arthur H. VanVleet

NEWTON --ÊDeacon Arthur H. VanVleet, 79, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Newton Memorial Hospital.

Born in Dover, Mr. VanVleet lived in Montville and Lafayette for 5 years before moving to Newton 25 years ago. He was a United States Army Veteran and served in Korea. He was a state corrections officer with High Point Correctional Facility at Stokes State Forest for 5 1/2 years until his retirement in 1995. Prior to working at High Point Correction Facility, Mr. VanVleet was employed for 17 years as a system analyst for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Newark. Prior to working at Blue Cross and Blue Shield he was employed as a Motorcycle Police Officer for the Nutley Police Department. Mr. VanVleet was an ordained Deacon for 30 years with the Paterson Diocese. He first served at Saint Pius X in Montville and later at St. JosephÕs Roman Catholic Church in Newton.

The son of the late Charles and Susie Harvey VanVleet, Mr. VanVleet was predeceased by his son, Wayne, in 1998; his son-in-law, Thomas Eltzholtz, in 1999; and his daughter-in-law, Mindy Lee, in 2009.

Mr. VanVleet is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dawn F. VanVleet; two sons, Robert A. and his wife, Donna, of Montville, and John M. of Stroudsburg, Pa.; one daughter, Sharon E. Eltzholtz of Newton; eight grandchildren; and two sisters, Ada Cole of Bricktown and Helen Franciose of Hampton.

A funeral service will begin at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, followed by a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. JosephÕs R.C. Church in Newton. Interment will follow at St. JosephÕs Cemetery, Newton. Visitation will be held today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. JosephÕs Church, 17 Elm St., Newton, NJ 07860. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.