ROY VERKUILEN MERRILLVILLE, IN Roy Verkuilen, 85, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2016, at his home. Roy was born on June 16, 1931, in Thorp, WI to Walter and Marie (Millus) Verkuilen. His mother passed away when he was a young boy living on the family farm. His father later married Ruby Coates. Roy attended rural Pioneer School, St Bernard's, and graduated from Thorp High School in 1949. He worked in the wheat fields of North Dakota and cheese factories in Thorp area before joining the U.S. Air Force serving our country here and abroad. Upon his honorable discharge he located to the Gary, Indiana area where he worked for Dixie Dairy for many years. Upon his retirement from Dixie Dairy he took a position with the Department of Transportation, State of Indiana as an Inspector. He married Rica Fulea on February 2, 1957. Although they had no children of their own, they attended all weddings and special occasions of their three generations of 82 nieces and nephews and were very loved by all. Roy had a very friendly positive personality, and a story for all occasions. He will be truly missed by the Verkuilen/Pantea families, his many friends at Town Center Retirement Community, Merrillville and the Gary Sportsmen Club. He will also be missed by many friends at the Scott Lake, Bangor, MI, location of the Verkuilen/Pantea family cottage and where favorite stories of him and his brother-in-law, Vic Pantea, will be shared for many years to come. Roy is survived by his loving wife, Rica; brother Robert (Helen) of Little Falls, MN; sister Patricia (Merlin) Nevala of Menomonie, WI; brother Marvin (Diane) Verkuilen of Thorp, WI; sister Susan (Jim) Beaudette of Sun City West, AZ, brother John (Dawn) Verkuilen of Cameron, WI, sister in law Regina Verkuilen of Glendale, AZ; sister in law Mary Pantea of Lafayette, IN; SPECIAL CAREGIVER nephew Vic (Lynne) Pantea and many other nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Roy was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Marie Verkuilen, stepmother Ruby Verkuilen, brother Richard Verkuilen, brother in law Vic Pantea, parents in law Moise and Maria Fulea and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016, 12:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (7535 Taft St. Merrillville, IN) Rev. John Plavcan officiating. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at noon. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For info please call 219-736-5840. www.calumetparkfuneral chapel.com