Wesley D. Van Blaricom, age 75, of Chetek passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at his home.
He was born March 18, 1933, to Wylie and Mabel (Johnson) Van Blaricom in the town of New Haven, Dunn County.
Wes grew up and lived in Dunn County and attended Menomonie High School, later serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He married Colleen Hudson on June 4, 1956, in Stillwater, Minn. Wesley drove truck for Janesville Auto Transport for 30 years, retiring in 1988. Wes lived in Janesville for many years. After his retirement, he spent his summers living at Wildwood Resort in Chetek. After selling his home in Janesville, he lived in Chetek year-round. He truly enjoyed the time he spent at the lake with his children and grandchildren.
Wes is survived by three sons, Charles and Patricia Van Blaricom of Osseo, Delvin Van Blaricom and Joni Zieler of Osseo and Gregory and Bonnie Van Blaricom of Janesville; two daughters, Colette and Brian Olson of Osseo and Denise and Eric Johnson of Osseo; seven grandchildren, Dustin and Brianna Johnson, David Van Blaricom, Sam Van Blaricom, Mandy Van, and Trent and Laura Olson; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Shirley Gunderson, of St. Paul; and one brother, Wallace, of Fairbanks, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one sister, Judith.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Osseo with the Rev. Lewis Thompson officiating. Burial will be in St. Luke's Lutheran Cemetery in Foster. Friends may call from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Schiefelbein Funeral Home, Osseo, and one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
Wes, Dad and Grandpa will be sadly missed by his children and grandchildren and by his many friends at Bob's Grill and the BandB Bar in Chetek who took very good care of him for many years.