William M. Vander Meulen

William M. “Bill” Vander Meulen, 45, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on December 1, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center. Bill passed away after a courageous 15-year battle with cancer. Defying many odds, he was an inspiration to many with his determination and positive attitude. He took pride in not letting his health keep him down.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 6th, 2018 at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church with Rev. Dwayne Thoman officiating and assisted by Pastor Loren Hirschy. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5th, 2018 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 6:45 p.m.

Bill was born on September 29, 1973 in Dubuque, Iowa the son of William F. and Elaine (Ernst) Vander Meulen, Sr. He attended Hempstead High School and after high school he worked construction and then at Eagle Window and Door. Lastly, he worked as a custodian for the Dubuque Community School District where he thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Kennedy Elementary School Family.

He married Amy Parker, his high school sweetheart on May 24th, 1997.  Bill was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. When Bill wasn’t taking Amy to lunch or driving the boys and their friends around in his prized yellow truck, he enjoyed camping, bowling and was an avid Colts, Yankees and Hawkeye fan.

He mostly enjoyed watching his boys sporting events including their practices. He was very proud of the young men his boys have turned into, they had an awesome role model.

Bill will be greatly missed by his wife Amy; his two sons Colten and Derek; his parents William “Bill” and Elaine Vander Meulen; his sisters Lisa (Shawn) Decker, and Cindy Vander Meulen; his father and mother-in-law Greg and Laurie Parker; his brother-in-law Mike (Mandy) Parker; his maternal grandmother Olivia Ernst; nieces and nephews Ryan Decker, Carley Vander Meulen, Andrew Decker, Drake and Mia Parker; many aunts and uncles, his grandfather-in-law Joseph MacDonald and his Final Four Camping Family.

He was preceded in death by an infant son William Joseph; his maternal grandfather Carl Ernst; paternal grandparents Robert and Mary Vander Meulen, an uncle Gary Ernst; his grandmother-in-law Juanita MacDonald and grandparents-in-law Ravis “Cotton” ‘and Elizabeth “Betty” Parker and a special camping buddy, Lyle Kelchen.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Okuno from Mayo Clinic Oncology and the Final Four Camping Family for their continued support and friendship.

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