Vernon "Butch" Charles Van Zandt, Jr.

Vernon "Butch" Charles Van Zandt, Jr., aged 81, of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025. 

He was born on April 12, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, to Betty (Baumann) and Vernon Van Zandt. He was a proud resident of Ingleside, Illinois, and later retired to Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. He was a 1960 graduate of Round Lake High School and married his high school sweetheart, Sharon (Weitor) Van Zandt on May 2, 1964, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. After proudly serving his country in the Army, Butch worked as a sheet metal apprentice at Reliable Sheet Metal in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, moving up to Senior Vice President, and later retiring from Honeywell. Butch was a humble man who loved the little joys of life such as fishing, golfing, and going to church. He loved his family and helping out the community in any way he could. Butch always had the ability to make anyone smile with a wise joke no matter the situation. 

Butch is survived by his two daughters, Wendy Katzel (Jeff) of Round Lake Heights, Illinois and Jami Hamm (Fred) of Ingleside, Illinois; sisters, Doreen Drinan and Patti Molivas (Jim); five cherished grandchildren: Ashley, Tyler, Sarah, Megan, and Abby; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his girlfriend, Diane Cavanaugh.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents; sister, Kathleen Adler, and brother-in-law, Tom Drinan.

Memorial service details will be determined at a later date.

Memorials in Butch's name can be made to Main Stay Therapeutic Farm at 6919 Keystone Road, Richmond, Illinois 60071.