Sylvester P. Verhoven, 78, De Pere, died Saturday, January 2, 2010 at a local hospital, He was born January 12, 1931 in Kaukauna, WI a son of the late Martin and Gertrude (Klister) Verhoven. On October 7, 1953 he married the former Bernice Bartels at St. Boniface Church, De Pere. Sylvester served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. Sylvester was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church, De Pere, the Boilermakers Union, and a 50-year member of the American Legion Post #436 Wrightstown. He enjoyed camping and traveling with his family. Sylvester is survived by his wife Bernice Verhoven, De Pere; eight children: Sandra Verhoven, Little Chute, Joe (Barbara) Verhoven, Madison, Pat (Paul) Champeau, Green Bay, Mike Verhoven, De Pere, Jane (Brian) Smits, Appleton, Vicki (Tom) Brunette, Green Bay, Rose (Paul) Lewis, De Pere, and Jenny (Brad) Stallsmith, Green Bay; eight grandchildren: Aaron (Fran) Kushava, Katie Kushava, Philip Champeau, Sarah Champeau, Justine Napier, Morgan Napier, Brianna Smits, and Joshua Smits. He is further survived by his son-in-law Rick Rechek, Manitowoc; sister Jeanie Lindner; brother-in-law James Bochtrup; Bernice's family: sisters-in-law Edna Verhoven, and Linda Krause; brothers-in-law Joe (Rosemary) Bartels, Harvey (Judy) Bartels, and many nieces and nephews. Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Gertrude Verhoven; daughter Mary Rechek; siblings: Anna Marie Madrid, Germaine Verhoven, Dorothy Muelemans, Betty Bochtrup, Dick Verhoven, and Donald Verhoven; father and mother-in-law August and Emma Bartels; sister-in-law Rachael (Gordie) Kempf. Visitation for Sylvester will be Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Prayer service will be at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Church, 220 S. Michigan, De Pere, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at church at 10:30 AM with Fr. Joel Sember officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery Greenleaf with Military Honors. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Verhoven family. The Verhoven family would like to thank the staff at Ledgeview Nursing Home and the staff of 4th Floor St. Vincent Hospital.