John Vanderploeg

John W. Vanderploeg CHESAPEAKE - John W. Vanderploeg, 80, devoted husband of 56 years and loving father to seven children, went peacefully to his eternal rest on Aug. 25, 2008. A Norfolk native, he was raised in Ocean View and graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic High School. He joined the Army and was a paratrooper stationed in Japan. He attended the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, then briefly worked at the Ford Plant before settling into a 36-year career as an electrician at the Naval Air Rework Facility. He was a member of the Norfolk Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. No. 38, serving as Exalted Ruler for two years. He was instrumental in bringing the Elks Hoop Shoot basketball competition for kids to Hampton Roads. He was also a longtime Norfolk NAS Little League Baseball coach. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Connor Vanderploeg, also a Holy Trinity graduate. Their union began at Blessed Sacrament Church on June 14, 1952 and they were faithful companions from that day forward. "Opa," as he was known by loved ones, is survived by seven children, Terry Perkins of Chesapeake, Susan Vanderploeg of Springfield, Laura Leigh Devey of Dowell, Md., and her husband Bill, Ellen Kay Minium of Norfolk and her husband Harry, John P. Vanderploeg of Norfolk and his wife Heather, Eileen Burch of Roper, N.C., and James Vanderploeg of Chesapeake. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Jason, Eric, Kevin, Ryan, Art, Katie, Robert, Megan, Amy, Daniel, Brittany, Alexa and Hanna. He was predeceased by his parents, John W. Vanderploeg Sr. and Gladys H. Vanderploeg. Services will be held at the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home, with a viewing Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a funeral Friday at 11 a.m. The Rev. Frank Thigpen and Father Daniel Beeman will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Care Foundation of Hampton Roads, www.ccfot.org. Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook and to view the service via live webcast at www.omanfh.com.