Hugh VanVoorst

Hugh Edward Van Voorst, 88, passed away peacefully in his Union Hill home on the morning of Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Hugh was born Oct. 5, 1934, in Union Hill, the son of Gilbert and Eileen Van Voorst.

In 1956, Hugh graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in business.

Hugh married the love of his life, Anita, on Feb. 27, 1960. The two were lifelong companions and friends for 59 years. The couple was blessed with three children: Grant, Beth and Jill Van Voorst.

He worked running Van Voorst Lumber Company and started and operated Vanfab metal fabrication while working as a career pilot for United Airlines. He was a dedicated member of the community and served as mayor of Union Hill for 40 years.

Hugh's other endeavors included serving on the Kankakee Community College board for 34 years, including serving as its president; serving as the Director of Aviation for the State of Illinois; owning and operating 17-47 Bowl in Dwight; and being an active member of the Kankakee Farm Bureau. Other ventures included waterfowl hunting and wetland conservation.

Surviving are his sister, Barbara; children, Grant (Susan), Beth and Jill (Gregg); two grandchildren, Clara Lennae Van Voorst and Emma Grace Van Voorst; his nieces, LeAnn (Scott) Anderson and Lori Nelson; and many, many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Anita; and brother-in-law, Bill Bumpous.

Hugh will especially be remembered for his devotion to his family, his passion for aviation, his dry sense of humor and his fiery spirit.

The family would like to extend their "Many thanks to all of his amazing caregivers for their patience, professionalism and understanding."

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. An additional time for visitation will be from 10 a.m. Monday, July 10, until the 11 a.m. funeral service, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher. The Rev. Eric Brown will officiate the service. Burial will follow in Coleman Cemetery in Buckingham.

Memorials may be made to the Kankakee Community College Foundation.

Please sign his online guestbook at clancygernon.com.