Karolus J. “Karel” van Ooyen
Karolus J. “Karel” van Ooyen, age 93, of Shelby, passed away peacefully at The Meadows in Galion, Ohio on Thursday, January 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, Paula, and three children Ken, Scott, and Brian.
Karel was born on August 24, 1931 in Hilversum, Netherlands, to Elbertus and Maria (Kormelinck) van Ooyen. He graduated from the Hilversum Trade School (Hilversum, Netherlands) in 1947 and served his required military duty with the Dutch Army for two years. After his service, he completed his Tool and Diemaker apprenticeship in1951 with Philips Telecommunication Industries. In 1954, amongst family and friends, Karel married his loving wife of 70 years, Paula.
In 1955, the couple immigrated to Canada where they lived in Calgary for a year. They also lived in, Orillia, Canada and resided there for a year prior to immigrating to The United States of America to Bedford, Ohio where he worked for Ford Motor Company. In 1957, Karel and Paula moved to Shelby, Ohio and became US citizens in 1964. Karel began his Tooling and Diemaker career in 1957, working for Fisher Body Division of General Motors Corporation until he retired in 1993 after 36 years. Karel and Paula spent many years traveling to Ft. Myers, Florida during the winter months to escape the Ohio winters. While in Florida, he spent his free time lending his handyman skills to anyone in need. He also loved to boat and fish.
Karel is survived by his wife and children: Paula (Ruiter) van Ooyen of Shelby; sons: Ken (Julie) van Ooyen of Galion, Scott (Greg) van Ooyen of Columbus, Brian (Rhonda) van Ooyen of Hilton Head Island, SC. He was richly blessed with 6 grandchildren: Ben (Megan) van Ooyen, Chris (Jenna) van Ooyen, Jessica van Ooyen, Alexis van Ooyen, Adam van Ooyen; and 6 great-grandchildren: Olivia, Cleveland, Amelia, Elliott, and Banks; and numerous other relatives and friends. Karel was preceded in death by his parents; infant son: Richard John van Ooyen; infant grandchild: Sam; infant great granddaughter: Lena; and sister and brother-in-law: Wilhelmina and Henny Nap.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 12 noon-1 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will immediately follow at 1 pm. Fr. Paul Fahrbach will officiate the services. Burial will be in Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby, OH 44875, where he was a longtime member, or The Lighthouse WHW, 449 Portland Way S, Galion, OH 44833.
Condolences may be made on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
Paula and family So sorry to here about Karel death. May God bring peace and comfort to his family.
My deepest condolences.
What a guy! Heaven has truly gained one of a kind when Karel entered! So privileged to have known and enjoyed many Friday afternoons with Karel and Paula! What wonderful people Julie and Ken Ensman
Lieve Tante Paula,
Ken, Scott, Brian.
Gecondoleerd met het verlies van jullie dierbare man en vader
Julie, Greg, Rhonda, kleinkinderen en achterkleinkinderen jullie ook gecondoleerd met het verlies van jullie schoonvader en opa. Wij willen jullie heel veel sterkte wensen en jullie zijn in gedachten bij ons️
Bert&Diana
Dear family,
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your husband and father. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Karel was a wonderful person who touched the lives of so many, and his memory will always be cherished.
Our thoughts are with you and your family as you navigate through this loss. Wishing you strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Lots of love
Sorry to hear about our former neighbor and long time friend. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the van Ooyen family.
Rust zacht ome Karel
Lieve tante Paula, Ken, Scott, Brian en de hele familie, heel veel sterkte met het dragen van het verlies van ome Karel, in gedachten zijn wij bij jullie!!
Condoleances for the loss of “ ome Karel “.
We have warm memories thinking of his visites to his sister/ our mother in The Netherlands. The bond to the Nap familie was always strong.
Glad he had been with you for so long. Wish you lot of strengh.
Frank and Marga
Rust zacht ome Karel
Lieve tante Paula, Ken, Scott, Brian en de rest van de familie, gecondoleerd met het verlies van man, jullie (schoon)vader, opa en opaopa
Sterkte allemaal, in gedachten bij jullie
Dear Family
Condolences for the loss of ‘ome Karel’.
We keep warm memories when he came to visit his sister/our mother in the Netherlands. The bond with the Nap family was strongh. It was nice to have him so long with you. Thinking of you!
Frank and Marga
So sorry to see this. Always enjoyed seeing Karel. Sincere sympathy to you Paula and your family.
We are sorry to hear that Karel passed away. I know him from back in the time, that he lived in Hilversum, The Netherlands. We were neighbors and friends.
Our deepest condolences.
Jan and Elly Wilke
Maple Ridge B.C.
Canada.
Mrs Van Ooyen and family, My deepest sympathy to you for the loss of your husband and father. He always had a smile on his face and a friendly hello. May God send comfort to your family.
Our sincere condolences to Aunt Paula and the family. I will always have fond and loving memories of Uncle Karel when I was growing up. Heaven has truly gained a very special angel.
We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Aunt Paula, Ken, Scott, Brian and familes,
I am heartbroken to know that Uncle Karel is gone but he will never be forgotten. I, for one, will always remember how he would hug me and make me feel welcome when I was able to visit. He was a very special man and I will miss him. Sending all my love and praying that you will have comfort knowing he touched so many lives.
Jeanette xxx
My deepest condolences to you Aunt Paula and all the family on the passing of Uncle Karel. Even though I only met him once as a young child I will always remember his kind smile and laugh and how gentle and kind he was to very scared and shy little me!
Praying for you all as you gather, and hope you share many wonderful memories together!
Ivy Zeegers
So sorry to hear of Karel”s passing.I only had him for a neighbor 8 plus years but I am going to miss seeing him setting in the garage!Such a nice caring man ! Paula you and family will be in my thoughts and prayers!love, Barb
Ken and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing…. Prayers for you and your family…..