Vincent E. Van De Venter, 78

Vincent E. Van De Venter, 78, of Rockford, passed away at home Saturday, August 18th.

Vincent was a longtime Crystal Lake resident and member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

Loving husband of 50 years of Betty (nee Votava), beloved father of the late Andrew, son of the late Cecil and Thelma Van De Venter, fond uncle of Steve and Michael Heinz and Trish Spengler.

Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, Vincent attended Iowa State College and graduated from The School of Architecture at University of Oklahoma, where he studied under reknown architect Bruce Goff.

His architectural practice included a church design at the age of 19, custom homes, restaurants, banks, and architectural interior designs for many McDonalds Restaurants in and around Chicago and the suburbs in addition to McDonalds in Central America, and his retirement home in Eureka Springs, AR, overlooking the White River.

He was a member of Friends of Kebyar, an international network of architects willing to explore creative and adventurous horizons.

Vince played the pipe organ, piano, clarinet, and learned to play the carillons in the tower on the Iowa State Campus.

He was an artist first, and then an architect. He created "Mystic Crystals" which are glass sculpture assemblages. His artworks reflect his love of glass and crystals. He was a classic car buff, loved sailing and classical music.

Visitation is at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Mass follows at 11 am.

Lunch at church, burial will follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.

Arrangements made by , Crystal Lake.