MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - John Van Delinder, age 77 of Crystal Lake Drive formerly of North Bellinger Street, Herkimer passed away on Monday morning June 17, 2002 in Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach. He was born on October 11, 1924 in Herkimer, son of the late Harold Westley and Jane Race Mullen Vandelinder. John was raised in Herkimer where he graduated from Herkimer High School. He was active in sports such as boxing, basketball, football, and an avid skier. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II he served with the 10th Infantry Mountain Division, receiving two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his actions during the war. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon leaving the service he entered Paul Smith College where he graduated with a degree in Forestry. He then went on to work for the International Paper Company in Maine where he did logging and surveying. On October 2, 1959 he married the former Clara Mae Macrina in the parsonage of the First United Methodist Church in Herkimer. For 29 years John worked for the United States Postal Service Herkimer, retiring in 1985. He and his wife moved to Myrtle Beach in 1996 where they have resided since. He was a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church, a forty two member of Herkimer Lodge No. 423 Free and Accepted Masons where he was elected and served as Master of the Lodge in 1982, He was a Herkimer Volunteer Fireman. John will always be remembered as loving, caring, and hopeful person. He would always stop to help someone in need. He will be greatly missed by many especially his family. Surviving besides his wife of forty-two years Clara Mae, are one son John Nicolas and his wife Melissa Dennis Van Delinder of Myrtle Beach, SC; a daughter Sandra Van Delinder and her husband Michael Yanowitz of Great Falls, VA; two grandchildren Nicolas John and Jesse Daniel Van Delinder of Myrtle Beach, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9:30 am in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street Herkimer. The Reverend Donald Battjes, Pastor of the Herkimer Reformed Church will officiate. He will be laid to rest with military honors in the Cobleskill Rural Cemetery on Monday at 11 am. The family will be present on Friday from 5:00 until 8:00 pm to receive family and friends. Herkimer Lodge No. 423 F&AM are asked to meet at the funeral home at 5:00 pm for ritualistic services. Memorial Donations may be made to the Paul Smith College Scholarship Fund or M.O.V.A.C. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. John's final wish to everyone was "please stop smoking cigarettes".