Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014
Wendell Geurkink
Furniture designer and artist Wendell Raymond Geurkink, 75, of North Vernon, Ind., passed away Jan. 4, 2014, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus, Ind.
He was born Dec. 25, 1938, in St. Cloud, Minn., the son of Fredrick John and Marion Peterson Geurkink. On June 23, 1984, in Celina, he married Connie Lehman, who survives in North Vernon, Ind.
Also surviving are two sons, Frederick A. (Hollie) Geurkink of Belding, Mich., and Michael R. (Nikki) Geurkink , Mendon; one daughter, Sharon (Rob) Chaney, New Bremen; two brothers, Vernon (Pat) Geurkink, Naperville, Ill., and David (Mary) Geurkink, Glendale Heights, Ill.; one sister, Marilyn (Lynwood) Larson, Hinsdale, Ill.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Robert Geurkink.
He was a furniture designer and artist and owned and operated Designs by Wendell in Celina for 16 years, retiring from his company in 2001. He had previously worked for Mersman Tables in Celina and RCA as a designer in Indianapolis, Ind. He served in the U.S. Navy 1961-1966. He was a member of Christian International Family Worship Center in Versailles, Ind., and a former member of Southern Indiana Center for Arts and Colored Pencil Society of America. He was a 1957 graduate of Wheaton College Academy in Wheaton, Ill. and a 1961 graduate of Kendall School of Design in Grand Rapids, Mich. His enjoyments included fishing, drawing, wood crafts and colored pencil drawings.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Christian International Family Worship Center, Versailles, Ind. Burial will be in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Ind., with members of Matt Hester Post 2021 V.F.W. providing military rites.
Calling is noon until service time at the worship center.
Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Services in North Vernon, Ind., are handling arrangements.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Christian International Worship Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.dovesharprudicel.com.
