William V. Vrooman, 86, Peru, died at 4:16 a.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2005 at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru.

He was born August 7, 1919 in Wabash, the son of LaVon E. and Rose A. Schmidt Vrooman. He married Mary Jane Carson Vrooman on February 28, 1941 and she preceded him in death on January 8, 1969; on April 2, 1971 he married Betty Arbuckle Keyser Vrooman at the First Baptist Church in Peru, and she survives.

Bill graduated from Peru High School in 1937 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He participated in campaigns in New Guinea, the Philippines and Luzon; his military decorations include the Asiatic - Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal. He was employed as a carman with the C & O Railroad until his retirement in 1980.

A man of great faith and integrity, he was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church and also attended the First Baptist Church. Bill was actively involved in Peru Little League Baseball, especially in the Farm League Organization. He participated in Cub Scout programs throughout Miami County and was an active member of the Holman School PTA; he held several offices in the Railroad Union and was active in the C & O Bowling League. After retirement in 1980, he took up golf and became an avid golfer; he thoroughly enjoyed traveling with his family and he also delivered Meals on Wheels for Dukes Memorial Hospital .

He was a member of the Peru Glen Owens American Legion Post 14, Miami County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2067, the Peru - Miami Lodge # 67 F&AM and the Peru Moose Lodge.


He is survived by his loving wife Betty; son Mike Vrooman and his wife Cynthia of Peru; daughter Jane Messmer and her husband Mike of Toledo, Ohio; stepdaughters Nancy Wagner and her husband George of Baltimore, Md., Amy Voirol and her husband Louie of Akron; grandchildren, Kim Pitts, Chad Vrooman, Krista Vrooman, Andrea Messmer, Brody Messmer, Emma Wagner, Annamarie Wagner and Luke Voirol; great-grandchildren, Delaney Pitts, Chandler Pitts and Garrett Vrooman; a brother, Richard Vrooman and his wife Jean of Peru; and a sister, Dorthy Holton and her husband William of Wabash.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Ranke; and a brother, Art Vrooman

A service celebrating the life of William V. Vrooman will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday November 26, 2005 at the Eikenberry - Eddy Funeral Home at 84 W. Main Street, Peru with Pastor Robert Adelsperger and Pastor Steven Ailes officiating; burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with Military Graveside Services provided by members of the Miami County Military Rites Unit.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Eikenberry - Eddy Funeral Home. There will be a Masonic Service at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church or the Main Street United Methodist Church.

Wednesday morning the Lord said “Bill receive your rest,” and he was gathered to his Heavenly