Cornelius H. “Cornie” VanderVoet died Aug. 19, 2004, at Whidbey General Hospital, at the age of 88.

He was born in Oak Harbor Nov. 21, 1915, to Dirk and Elsie Bruikhuisen) VanderVoet.

Mr. VanderVoet was raised in the San DeFuca area where he attended elementary school. Following completion of the sixth grade, he attended school in Coupeville. Cornie quit school after the eighth grade and began working full time on the family farm. Later he obtained work with Harry Fakkema at his auto dealership, working as a parts manager and mechanic while continuing his farm work.

Cornie was married June 23, 1939 to Evalena Nienhuis in Oak Harbor. The VanderVoets lived in town for several years and in the early 1940s purchased a farm near Boon and Fort Nugent roads. In 1953, they moved the farm to the current location on Monroe Landing Road. Cornie spent his life working as a dairy and crop farmer in Oak Harbor.

Mr. VanderVoet was a life member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor and had served as a deacon and elder in the church. He was a member of the Dairy Federation of Island County, served on the Agriculture Board of Island County and also a member of the Drainage District. Cornie loved to deer hunt and was also a Mariners fan.

Mr. VanderVoet is survived by four children: Donna Hoback and husband Jerry of Mount Vernon, Les VanderVoet of Oak Harbor, Bonnie Balster and husband John of Oak Harbor, and Dale VanderVoet of Marysville; by two brothers, Arthur VanderVoet of Oak Harbor and Rev. Richard VanderVoet of Mount Vernon; and one sister, Alice Rientjes of Oak Harbor. Nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren also survive. His wife Evalena preceded him in death in 2002.

A graveside funeral services for Cornelius VanderVoet will be held Monday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m., at Maple Leaf Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jon Brown officiating. Visitation will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to noon. Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.