Richard (Dick) Constant Van Lerberg, 91, of Shawnee Kansas passed away January 23rd at the University of Kansas Medical Center surrounded by his children. Dick was born January 27th 1922, at the "homeplace" in Shawnee off 65th and Nieman Road, born to Aime and Maria (LeFevere) Van Lerberg. He was very proud of his Belgium heritage. As a devoted Catholic, he was a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where he attended his early childhood education. He was an Army Veteran serving in WWII, and was the longest standing member of the American Legion, Post 327. He started in entrepreneurship when he and his brother Paulie established Shawnee Village Food Mart in Shawnee Kansas. After that, his next business venture was opening Shawnee Village Bowl with his brothers Maurice and Paulie until his retirement in 1990. Dick did not want to retire so continued in business and opened Village Auto Sales, which he was active in this business until the day he left us. Dick was a loving son, brother, father, husband, uncle and loyal friend, He was an honest business man and a hard worker. In his early life he loved to trapshoot, hunt with his brothers and sons, enjoyed being on the boat at the Lake of the Ozarks, trips to Las Vegas, visiting friends and famlies graves, attend army reunions, spend quality time with his children and grandchildren. Dick was a family man and adored his siblings and cousins. He loved going to Belgiun picnics and the Kansas City Market. He was proud of his City of Shawnee and loved telling stories about the old days. Dick never met a stranger and was loved by everyone who came in contact with him. He was always good at remembering important dates and could list his children’s birth dates in a flash. Dick loved to dance and often enjoying dancing with his daughters. Dick will be greatly missed. He truly was a Shawnee icon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ricky, his wife Dixie, his brother Paulie, and his brother-in-law John B. Creten. Dick is survived by his 8 children; Vicke (Rock) Goodrick of Louisburg KS, Kathy (Joe) Valdez of Mission KS, Barbara Ann (Jerry) DeWitt of Shawnee KS, Cheryl (Gerry) Keslar of Tonganoxie KS, Michael (Debra) Van Lerberg of DeSoto KS, Mark (Jeri) Van Lerberg of Merriam KS, , Karen (Jon) Stone of KCK, Toni (Jason) Mitchum of KCMO, his sister Mable Creten, brother Maurice (Mary) Van Lerberg, and his sister-in-law Janet Van Lerberg. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and Dixie's children, Mike, Casey, Kevin, Darcy and their families, as well as all of his beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation & Mass

A visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014 from 2 to 5 pm at the Amos Family Funeral Home, a rosary will be prayed at 4:30 pm.. A mass will be held 10 am Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shawnee, KS. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Contributions

Contributions may be made to American Legion Post #327 or the University of Kansas Cardiac Care Center in Dick’s memory.