Louis Van Haeren

Louis Van Haeren, 107, of Clifton, NJ passed peacefully on August 31, 2025. Louis, known to many as Uncle Lou and respectively called the “legend” due to his tenacity, wit, strength of character, robust health and zest for life, will be missed dearly by his beloved family.    

Louis Van Haeren was the son of first-generation Dutch Americans Whilhem and Maria, beloved husband of the late Johanna (nee Burgmeyer) Van Haeren, a loving brother to (all siblings deceased) John Van Haeren, Henry Van Haeren, Anna Moot, Peter Van Haeren, Bill Van Haeren, Mary Pfister and Teddy Van Haeren, and an uncle to numerous nieces and nephews including many great nieces and nephews. 

Born in 1917 on a farm in Sommerville NJ, Louis was the 5th son. He developed and mastered his interest in woodworking and machinery repair, an interest he carried into his adult life. At the age of 14, he began his career delivering telegrams in New York City while living in Hoboken, NJ with his family. The hardships of the Great Depression lead to his family moving to Passaic, NJ to pursue available work. During his time there he worked on a farm as a field hand and later as a factory worker at a Spring manufacturing plant. It was here where he met his late wife of sixty years, Johanna, who he married in 1940. Shortly after this, Louis was drafted into the United States Army to serve in World War II along with his brothers John, Henry, and Bill who served in the United States Navy. Following basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Louis was stationed in Reno, Nevada under the Army Airforce Division as an airplane mechanic.

Following his service, he went back to NJ and Johanna. Together they bought their beloved home in Clifton, where he resided for over 70 years.  Lou held many jobs, delivering  heavy equipment, climbing exhaust towers for repair and lastly as a Maintenance Machinist for Air Wick.

Lou and Johanna spent numerous summers with family at the jersey shore as well as traveling to Hawaii, Holland and Switzerland. Lou’s favorite past time was walking and making the stroll to Garret Mountain. His favorite hobbies were completing enormous puzzles in his workshop, caring for his home and playing cards or checkers with family and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Service 12:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Graveside service and interment 1:00 pm at George Washington, Paramus, NJ. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the obituary.

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