Henry Vander Pol of Mount Vernon went to his Heavenly Home April 27, 2005. He was 87. He was born Sept. 3, 1917, to Neil and Nellie (Meijer) Vander Pol on Whidbey Island. He passed away at his home in Mount Vernon.

At the age of seven years, his parents and siblings moved from Oak Harbor to a farm in La Conner, where he also began school. Two years later the family moved to Lynden.

Henry was married to Alida Van Soest of Denver, Colo., March 18, 1943. They were married 57 years. Alida preceded him in death May 6, 2000.

In 1943, while his wife Alida remained at home, Henry was sent with the United States Army during World War II to the European Theater for three years. Upon returning, he established his own electrical contracting business in Mount Vernon, which he owned and operated for 35 years.

Henry loved and served the Lord many years as an active and faithful member of First Christian Reformed Church and Mount Vernon Christian School. He also served on Mount Vernon City Council for 13 years and was a former member of Mount Vernon Rotary.

He is survived by his children, Al and Patricia Vander Pol of Anniston, Ala., Mary and Ed Werkhoven of Sunnyside, Larry and Margaret Vander Pol and Yvonne and Dave Boon of Mount Vernon, Shirley Vander Pol of Wyoming, Mich., and daughter-in-law Debi Vander Pol Patterson of San Diego, Calif. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. One sister, Pauline Page, three brothers, Paul, Mike and Neil Vander Pol, and a large extended family also survive Henry.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife Alida and his son Keith in 2000, two sisters, Martha Goudswaard and Gert Rylaarsdam and three brothers, Dick, Bert and John Vander Pol.

Memorials may be made to Mount Vernon Christian School, 820 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or to Westminster Cemetery, 1725 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92027-4128.

Visitation is at Affordable Burial, 17910 Highway 536 No. B, Mount Vernon, Monday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Graveside services will be at Hawthorne Memorial Park, Tuesday, May 3, at 1 p.m., with a memorial service to follow at First Christian Reformed Church, 701 W. Blackburn Road, Mount Vernon, at 2 p.m.

Full arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Affordable Burial and Cremation Services, LLC, of Mount Vernon.