Elwood J. “Van” Van Vleck, 82, of Dubuque, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at Stonehill Care Center surrounded by family.

Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 26, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Rev. Steven Rosonke will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, with Military Honors accorded by the American Legion Post #6. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, February 25, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a prayer service at 2:30 p.m.

Elwood was born May 21, 1936 in Iowa City, the son of Earl B. and Delphine (Theisen) Van Vleck. He served his country with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964. Van married Elaine C. Jacobs on May 25, 1968 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church.

Van served as a police officer in East Dubuque for several years, during which time he was also known as “Big Al”. He then went to work for Dubuque Community School District as a custodian, eventually becoming a head custodian, and retiring after 29 years. Van was devoted to the Dubuque Community Schools, and loved being a part of the school community. He always made sure to take treats to the people he worked with at school. Van worked at several schools in the district, but especially loved Hoover and made sure to keep up with all the news, even after retirement. In 2002, he retired and became a paraprofessional/security for Hoover, where he was proud to work with his son, a teacher, and his grandson, a student. He retired from his paraprofessional duties in 2017.

Van could often be found driving his Monte Carlo around town, working on the house and yard, and train watching. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and will be sadly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son, Steven (Pamela) Van Vleck of Dubuque; his grandson Evan Van Vleck of Dubuque; his sister Joyce Sanders of Dubuque; his in-laws, Joseph Behnke, Robert (Annamarie) Jacobs, Ruth Ann Yarborough, and Sharon Kay Jacobs; many nieces and nephews; family friend Sharon Heiderscheit; and his former police partner and special friend, John Tuckett.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Joy Behnke; his brother Charles Van Vleck; his in-laws Willard Sanders, and Joseph and Dale Jacobs; and his parents in law, Joseph and Leona Jacobs.

The family would like to thank the staff at Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque, especially Jessica and Amy.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hskfh.com