Gerrit VonEye, age 85, of Wessington Springs, and formerly of Huron, died Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Avera Weskota Manor in Wessingon Springs.

His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, at First Assembly of God Church in Huron with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 1-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 6-8 p.m.; or Wednesday afternoon one hour prior to the service.

Gerrit Jan VonEye, son of Gerrit and Katherine (Plooster-Keegel) VonEye, was born on April 30, 1924, in Platte, SD. He grew up and attended school in the Platte area.

On February 8, 1945, Gerrit entered the U.S. Army and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II. He was honorably discharged on August 14, 1946.

On January 14, 1948, Gerrit married Elizabeth Knutson at Platte, SD. They farmed on several farms in the Wessington Springs area before moving to Huron in 1968.

He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Huron; William Reaves American Legion Post #7 of Huron.

He is survived by 3 sons, David VonEye of rural Wessington Springs, Daniel VonEye of Flandreau, and Paul (Shari) VonEye of rural Virgil; 1 daughter, Marlis Evans of Sioux City, IA; 15 grandchildren, Kevin (Nikki) VonEye, Danny (Rhea) VonEye Jr., Chad (Samantha) VonEye, Lori (Shon) Keith, Heath (Candice) VonEye, Jamie (Brianna) VonEye, Misti VonEye, Katie VonEye, Angie Evans, Kristi Evans, Jesse (Ashley) Evans, Tim (Brooke) VonEye, Amy (Cameron) Boyd, Abby VonEye and Ty VonEye; 29 great grandchildren, Chase VonEye, Kade VonEye, Matthew VonEye, Mackenzie VonEye, Maegan VonEye, Jordan VonEye, Kailey VonEye, Javon VonEye, Tyler VonEye, Gerrit VonEye, Harley VonEye, Pepsi VonEye, Diamon VonEye, Shamari Quinton, DeAngelo Quinton, Michael VonEye, Nathan VonEye, Ellie VonEye, Evan VonEye, Preston Keith, Cassidy Keith, Emma Keith, Morgan Boyd, Landon Boyd, Hannah Evans, Connor Evans, Bradley VonEye, Owen VonEye, and Brody VonEye; 3 brothers, Fester VonEye of Wessington Springs, Arnold VonEye of Mitchell, and Johnnie (Lilia) VonEye of Wessington Springs; 2 sisters, Henrietta Doering of Mitchell, and Jennie (Herman) Knutson of Wessington Springs; 1 sister-in-law, Deana VonEye of Miller; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elizabeth on December 26, 2002; 1 son, Ernest VonEye; 1 daughter-in-law, Evie VonEye; 3 brothers, Henry VonEye, Barney VonEye, and Leonard VonEye, Sr.; 1 half-brother, John (Jabeana) Keegel; 1 half-sister, Elizabeth (Martin) Koupal; 1 sister-in-law, Elva VonEye; 1 brother-in-law, Ralph Doering.