John’s Obituary John W. VanLangendon, 90, was welcomed into the loving arms of his Savior, surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 2, 2019 after a beautiful journey through life. John was born October 16, 1928 to William and Ottilia (Stika) VanLangendon. He was a lifelong resident of Green Bay and a proud graduate of West High, class of 1946.
He was an Army Korean War era veteran and was stationed at Ft. McCoy, WI where he met and married his wife, Marilyn, of 66 years. John was born into the family business of Van’s Florist and Greenhouse where he developed his passion for flowers and an ability to take the simplest of things to touch the lives of those around him.
These things could be as simple as a twig in bud, a freshly cut flower, a fruit or vegetable recently harvested or greenery from the forest. These simplest of things were used by John to connect with the people around him with whom he so deeply loved. John’s philosophy was “Flowers belong in every human event; we grow the flowers and produce the plants, but the product we sell is sentiment – love, sympathy, cheer – did you get yours today?
”. We learned from him that it is not how much we have been given, but how we have given. John was a very active member of numerous organizations and committees to include past President of Howard-Suamico Optimist Club, past President and founding member of the Gardener’s Club of Green Bay, The Rose Society, Green Bay Botanical Garden, Brown County Conservation Alliance, advisor for Bay Port FFA and lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; seven children, Debra (David) Sherry, Melvin VanLangendon, Cathy (Jeff) Guttu, Nancy Hedge, Esther Weise, Frank (Annette) VanLangendon, Doris (Jim) Veeser; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, his sister, Patricia (Gene) Pezon; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Patrick Stordeur, Robert Johnson, Jim Johnson, Jim Weise, and his loving church family. John was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Emerald Conley, Marilyn (Bud) Johnson; grandson, Jesse VanLangendon; daughter-in-law, Patty VanLangendon; nephews, Gary Conley, Jim Johnson; special cousins, Charles (Bev) Wery; dear friends, David Wilson, Bob Mongin, Mark Monfort. Family and friends may visit at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Ashland Ave.
, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Visitation will continue at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by the Funeral Service at 11. Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family.
To send online condolences, please go to www. BlaneyFuneralHome.com. A special thank you to the wonderful and loving family at Grancare Nursing Center for their compassionate care and to Pastor Randy Argall for his prayers and support.
In addition to flowers, memorials can be made to benefit the afore-mentioned charities and church that John cherished.
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