RONALD E. VAN HOOZEN, 84, of Fort Wayne, ascended to the Realm on High Thursday, April 26, 2007. He was a life long resident of Aboite Township and a graduate of Lafayette Central High School, in 1941. Drafted in December of 1942, he served in the European Theatre for the 35th Infantry Division of the 3rd Battalion Headquarters Company. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and an Honorable and Medical discharge in June of 1945. He and his wife of 62 years, H. Jane (Manes) Van Hoozen, co-founded Van Hoozen Eggs of which he was president from 1959 until 1985. As a public servant, he was Aboite Township Trustee from 1955 to 1962 when 160 acres of property was purchased, which are now the home of Southwest Allen County Schools' campus and Homestead High School. He was appointed to the Allen County Council and to Boards of Directors for the Allen County Department of Public Welfare, the Metropolitan YMCA, and the Johnny Appleseed Foundation. He served as Chief Deputy of the Allen County Assessors Office. From 1968 to 1976, he was elected to the Southwest Allen County School Board and later elected Aboite Township Assessor from 1986 to 1992. Other activities include a life membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans; appointment to the Indiana State Egg Board; and President of the Glacier Ridge Lions Club. Beginning with a membership in the Roanoke Masonic Lodge 195; later the Scottish Rite; and then the Mizpah Shrine, he served as the 1984 Potentate of the Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine. For over 20 years, he joyfully sang in the Mizpah Shrine Chanters. Was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Waynedale Chapter. Honors bestowed in his lifetime include Governor Robert Orr presenting him with the "Sagamore on the Wabash" award, in 1985, the Aboite Township Park Board establishing the "Van Hoozen Community Park", in 2001, and Southwest Allen County Schools, in 2007 presenting a plaque in recognition of his "vision, dedication and service" to the school system and from the Allen County Genealogical Society awarded a "First Families Certificate" in Allen County. Surviving are his wife, H. Jane Van Hoozen; sister, Mildred Biberstine of Citrus Heights, Calif.; four children, Marilyn (Barry) Smith of Managua, Nicaragua, Janet (David) Bolyard of Fort Wayne, Verle Van Hoozen of Atlanta, Ga., and Barry (Hallie) Van Hoozen of Perrysburg, Ohio; grandchildren, Margo, Tisha, Cheri, Melissa, Amy, Ashley, Aften, Nathan, and Miranda; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death his parents, Edith (Peters) and Clifton Van Hoozen; and granddaughter, Amanda (Smith) Billington. Service is 11 a.m. Monday at The Chapel, 2505 West Hamilton Road, with calling one hour prior. Pastor Rack Hawks officiating. Calling also from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Road, with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. Military Burial follows service in Covington Memorial Gardens, 8408 Covington Road. Memorials to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road, Shriner's Hospitals For Children Fund, Shriner's Hospitals For Children Van Replacement Fund, or Van Hoozen Park Fund.