Wayne Gordon Vanvalkenburg

He was a man of the land: Wayne raised sheep and other animals on his Pilesgrove farm. He was a shepherd to both his flock and family. Even in his spare time you’d find him outdoors, standing beside a pond or lake, angling for a big fish. His later years found him retiring to Virginia, his property adjacent to a state park with a beautiful lake. He loved NASCAR and country music.
A man of deep faith he was the son of a Baptist Minister, born in New York and raised in Salem County. Wayne graduated from Woodstown High School. He spent his career in the oil refinery in Delaware City, Delaware.
Wayne found his real calling as a grandfather; Pop-Pop Hat, never without his cowboy hat, would teach them to fish and had a pony for the occasional ride. He was active in agricultural life encouraging his children and grandchildren in raising animals through the 4H program.
Wayne met a pretty girl, the late Edythe, and the two would share a 39-year marriage, blessed by children, Gary VanValkenburg, Deborah (Michael) Ballard, Linda Stephens, Robert (Mari) Stephens, Dan (Barb) Stephens, the late Mark VanValkenburg and the late Cory Stephens.  He was the grandfather to eleven and eight great grandchildren.
The family invites you to come celebrate 83 great years on Monday, October 28th, 11 a.m. at Lawnside Cemetery, Woodstown. A bench will be placed at the Salem County Fairgrounds in his memory.  Donations toward this may be made to Salem County Fairgrounds Association, P.O. Box 561, PennsGrove, NJ 08069.