Source: North West Iowa Review (8-2007)

Born: December 3, 1907
Died: August 3, 2006

Jake Van Stelton, 98, Sibley, died Thursday, August 3, at his son’s home in Ashton.

Services were Monday, August 7, at Walton-Roste Funeral Home in Sibley, with Bruce Van Stelton, Tim Vaughn, and Mona Reece officiating. Burial was at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

Jake Van Stelton, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Den Herder) Van Stelton, was born December 3, 1907, in the Netherlands. He was the oldest of seven children. His family immigrated to the United States and settled in Carmel when he was 12 years old. He married Henrietta Beyer of Hull in 1936. They first farmed near May City. They lived a short time in St. Louis before returning to the farm near Sibley. He enjoyed reading his Bible and going to meetings, tending his livestock and later gardening. They were blessed with four children. Mrs. Van Stelton died in 1967. He married Margaret Gerloff on March 20, 1971, in Luverne, Minnesota. They lived six years in Alpine, California, and then 25 years in Green Valley, Arizona. Because of health reasons, they moved back to Oscela County in April 2002 to be near family. He lived with and was cared for by his oldest son, Alvin, until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Van Stelton, four sons, Alvin Van Stelton of Ashton (Peggy of California) Eugene Van Stelton of Sibley, Virgil and Carol Van Stelton of Sibley and Jerry and Donna Van Stelton of Sibley; eight grandchildren; a great -granddaughter; two brothers, Henry Van Stelton of California, and Albert Van Stelton of California; and a sister Winnie Wirtjes of California.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Henrietta Van Stelton; a brother, Gerrit Van Stelton; and two sisters, Gertie and Marie.