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- Source: Greenbay Press Gazette Obituary Thursday, August 2, 2001 John M. VanDenWymelenberg Green Bay
Age 78, died Wednesday, August 1, 2001. He was born June 10, 1923 to the late Arnold and Eleanor (Weyenberg) VanDenWymelenberg. On September 3, 1949, he married Janet Glawe at St. Willebrord Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in the Class of 1942. He served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II and was a Sergeant in the Maintenance Division. Returning from Service in late November 1945, he joined his father and brother, Jerry in Van's Hardware. In 1958, he and his brother, Jerry started the Downtowner Motel with the late Bernard Garot who was an additional partner. Jaynard Publishing was started by John in 1963, publishing a book called Howdy Neighbor that described the Green Bay area and its attractions to newcomers. John was part of a small group of people who formed the Green Bay Area Convention Bureau, Inc. a non-profit organization in 1963. He took a leadership role in the development of the Bureau over the last 35 years. He gave of his time, business advice and creative ideas without compensation. The result was that the bureau became recognized in the state and the country as one of the most successful tourism organizations ever created. Without John's contributions the Bureau would have never reached its level of success. The Packer Hall of Fame began in 1967. Once again, it was John Van's efforts and leadership that developed the Hall of Fame into a star attraction in Wisconsin. Without John's creative mind, exhibits would not have been built and financed. Not only did John do all of his work without pay, he also donated money to the Hall of Fame several times. It is John who deserves a lot of credit for developing the Green Bay area as a major tourism destination for the region. John was a founding member of the UWGB Ecumenical Foundation and served as president to that foundation from 1981 to 1996. John was a member of the Board of Directors as well as Treasurer for the Ecumenical Center from its inception. He remained on the board until the time of his death. John was a Board Member of Retreats International through Notre Dame University. He was founding Director of East Bank and was a Board Member of Valley Bank and M&I Bank Northeast and remained a very active member of those boards until the time of his death. John was instrumental in forming the Visitors and Convention Bureau in 1963, serving as an Officer and Director and finally, as Chairman. John became involved with the formation of Promotion Management Inc. (PMI), a private non-stock organization in 1983. PMI was involved in a different level of tourism economic development. The Visitor Convention Bureau took over the operation of the Brown County Veteran's Memorial Arena in 1974. The Visitor and Convention Bureau developed a plan to build and finance an Exhibition Hall to be attached to the Arena. In 1986, they began operation of that hall. John played a key role in the development and financing of this project. John was a member of the Board of Directors of St. Mary's Hospital, Green Bay. He played a major role in the development of the new patient care facility both personally and financially.John was a member of the Green Bay Noon Serra Club. He was a financial supporter of the Green Bay Botanical Garden through the memory of his late wife, Janet. In memory of his wife, Janet, he also supported the City Stadium Project at East High School in Green Bay. In addition to these organizations, John generously gave financially as well as his time and talent to open the doors of opportunity to many individuals and non-profit organizations in need. He supported many more charitable organizations than are possible to enumerate here, reaching not only locally but nationally and internationally.
Survivors include his four daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Terry Martell, Ashwaubenon; Linda and Wolfgang Boss, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mary Ann and Douglas Hunt, Madison; Kathy and Tom Rolling, Ashwaubenon; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Marie Van Den Wymelenberg, Green Bay; two sisters, Mrs. Ovid (Marcey) Albertson, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Mrs. William (Ruth) Merkey, Green Bay.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; and an infant son, Robert John.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, l52l Shawano Ave. Green Bay from 4 to 9 p.m. today (Friday). There will be a Parish Wake Service at 7 p.m. today (Friday). Friends may also call at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth Street from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at ll AM Saturday at the church, with the Most Rev. Aloysius J. Wycislo officiating. Concelebrating will be Rev. Richard Getchel, Msgr. Roy Klister and Rev. Richard Mauthe will serve as Homilist. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
John's family is extremely grateful for the loving care and support provided by Bonnie Warren.
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1923 - 2001 (78 years)