Camiel Van Hecke Family

The Camiel Van Hecke family were natives of the Netherlands. Camiel's father Petrus Joan Van Hecke was a farmer. Pelazie Van Deynze his mother was a housewife. Camiel was the oldest of the family. He was born on Nov. 16, 1881, at St. Laurence, Belgium. He had very little schooling and had to help with the farm work. He also served with the Belgian Army.

On June 12, 1908, Camiel married Sidonie Marie Lazeon of Ede, Holland. She was born on Sept. 22, 1884. Her father was Ferdinandus Lazeon and her mother was Sophia Christina Verbecke.

From this marriage of Camiel and Sidonia fourteen children were born. Three daughters, Maria, Augusta and Irma were born in Holland. Augusta died in infancy and was buried there. They often thought of the United States as the new world and maybe there opportunities would be much better. Approximately around 1911 they immigrated by boat to the United States. It took them several months to arrive here. They first settled at Ghent, Minnesota, where Camiel engaged in farm work. Shortly after their arrival here at Ghent, Irma died at an early age. While living at Ghent five more children were born: Clara, Emile, Henri, Gerardis Lee, and Angenes. Emile and Angenes also deceased there at an early age. Approximately around 1917 Camiel moved his family and settled at Ivanhoe, Minnesota. He still did mostly farm work and other odd jobs. While living at Ivanhoe three more children were born, Anna Marie, Richard, and Albert.

It was at Ivanhoe where Camiel applied for his citizenship papers and on March 17, 1919, he received his citizenship papers and became an American citizen. His papers also gave his wife citizenship rights.

After living at Ivanhoe for several years the family then moved to Wessington Springs, South Dakota. He mostly did farm work. While living in South Dakota he was persuaded to come to Detroit, Michigan, by the oldest daughter Maria. He moved from there to Detroit around 1926 and worked there as a bricklayer. Maria deceased at the age of twenty-five at Detroit. From Detroit Camiel and family moved to Liberty Center, Ohio, approximately 1927 to 1928. He worked on many farms in the area and also helped on the Liberty Center High School. While living at Liberty Center one daughter Germaine was born. The schooling for the older children mostly came from the country schools. The younger children attended the Liberty Center School. Germaine graduated from there in 1946. During World War II all six of the Van Hecke boys were called to the service. Four served with the Army, one with the Navy, and the other with the Marines. They all served overseas and it was a record for Henry County for the most brothers serving from one family. After checking, all indications show it to be a record for the state of Ohio.

Mr. and Mrs. Camiel Van Hecke

Two Van Hecke boys continued in the service and made the service their career.

Hubert served 21 years with the Navy and retired on March 10, 1964, and lives at Colton, Ohio.

Richard served 30 years with the Navy and retired on July 13, 1972, and lives at Imperial Beach, California.

Alfred lives at Allegan, Michigan.

Henry lives at Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Gerardis (Lee) deceased Nov., 1955, at the Veteran's Hospital in Wisconsin.

Albert deceased April, 1971, at Colton, Ohio.

Three daughters survive from this large family:

Clara Poynter at Lead, South Dakota; Ann Joy at Malinta, Ohio; Germaine Cymbola at Colton, Ohio.

Germaine Cymbola is now the Colton, Ohio, Postmaster, appointed on Jan. 5, 1974.

Sidonie died on Nov. 11, 1967, and Camiel on July 13, 1969. At the time of their deaths they were residents of Colton, Ohio, and they lacked a few months of being married sixty years.

Submitted by Germaine Cymbola