Memorial service for Orval G. Schoonhoven, age 96, of Lena, IL, formerly of Lanark/Shannon area, who died December 18, 2017, at Lena Living Center, Lena, IL, will be on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at Bethel United Methodist Church, Shannon, IL.  The service will begin at 11:00 am with a time of fellowship to follow.  A private burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport, IL.  In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the Carroll County Fair.

Orval was born January 4, 1921,  at the Schoonhoven family farm, Forreston, IL, to Edward and Anna (Ruter) Schoonhoven.  He was one of nine children.  Orval attended Forreston schools.  On February 12, 1942, he married Dorothy Fox at Forreston Grove Church.  The couple celebrated their 75 ^th wedding anniversary in February of 2017.

Orval and Dorothy farmed for over 40 years in the Forreston, Shannon and Lanark areas. Orval operated his own cement business for many years.  He also sold silo and feed lot equipment and became involved with purebred livestock.  He raised and showed Chester White hogs, Hampshire sheep, and Hereford cattle.  He was especially proud of his Hereford cow/calf herd and assisted many area 4-H youth in purchasing and showing cattle throughout the Midwest.

Orval was a 50-year member of Shannon/Lena Lions and was honored with the prestigious Lions Melvin Jones award in 2015. One of Orval's greatest interests was the Carroll County Fair, Milledgeville, IL, where he was beef superintendent for 20 years  and treasurer/ticket manager for 10 years. He was proud when upon his retirement from the fair, he was presented with a free pass to all county fairs in Illinois.

A 50-year member of the Bethel United Methodist Church, Orval served as a trustee, Sunday school superintendent, and treasurer.  He was actively involved in remodeling of the church in 1969 and 1991. For many years, Orval and Dorothy helped construct church floats for the local parades.

Among Orval's hobbies were woodworking, golfing, traveling, playing cards, and spending time with family. He enjoyed visiting relatives and going to many Schoonhoven family events.

Surviving are one daughter, Kim (Larry) Nelson of Lena; two grandchildren, Rachel Zipsie of Greenville, MI, and Corey Nelson of Lena; one great grandchild, Aleese (Rane) Stone of Kansas City, KS; three foster great great grandchildren.  Orval is also survived by numerous nieces and a nephew.

Orval was preceded in death by his parents, his wife (November 29, 2017),  five brothers: Raymond, Hasper, Melvin, Wayne, Edgar; three sisters: Grace Schoonhoven, Vianna (George) Frey, Vada Mae (Henry) Swalve;  three nephews:  Bradley, Wayne (Butch), and James Schoonhoven.

Orval will be remembered for his optimism and his creative talents.