John Peter Vermeulen

John Peter Vermeulen died peacefully at home November 6, 2007. Born May 27, 1919 in Mineola NY, he was the son of the late John and Johanna (nee van den Hoorn) Vermeulen, who emigrated from Boskoop, Holland in 1915. Peter’s childhood was spent in Westbury, NY. His education included training at the Brownes Business School and Cornell University, School of Agriculture.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1941 and served time in Alaska where he met his beloved wife Edith Lorna Newman. Edith and Peter were married February 9, 1946. Peter continued his service in the U S Army Reserves and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1944 Peter joined his father in the nursery business as a fifth generation nurseryman. He was President of John Vermeulen & Son, Inc., Neshanic Station, NJ for the past thirty years. He was a dedicated nurseryman who served as President of the NJ Association of Nurseryman in 1961 and Eastern Region International Plant Propagators Society in 1966. He was Past President of the International Plant Propagators Society in 1969. He also served as President of Somerset County Board of Agriculture, Vice-President of NJ State Board of Agriculture and Director of NJ Farm Bureau. Peter received the NJ State Board of Agriculture citation for distinguished service to NJ agriculture in 1988. He was also awarded the NJ Farm Bureau Arthur West Distinguished Service Award in 1986.

Peter was active in his community serving on the Branchburg Township Industrial Commission. He was Vice-President of the Branchburg Township School Board in 1961. He also served on the Somerset County Agricultural Development Board and NJ Rural Advisory Council.

Peter was strongly devoted to his spiritual life. He was active in the United Methodist Church and later became a member of the Flemington Assembly of God where he served as a Deacon. He participated in missions to Belize, Tanzania, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Peter was the founder of the Jesus Said Foundation, dedicated to the worldwide support of Christian Ministry.

Peter was predeceased by his wife of 58 years in 2004. He is survived by his brother William and wife Florence of Milford, CT, daughters Barbara Reilly and husband Pat of Newtown, CT, Nancy Vermeulen of Neshanic Sta., NJ, Wendy Halle of Whitehouse Sta., NJ and sons James Vermeulen and wife Marsha of Syracuse, NY and Jeffrey Vermeulen of Neshanic Sta., NJ. He is also survived by his grandchildren Megan Lauri and husband Chris, Evan Weissman and wife Erin, Caragh Reilly, Casey Weissman-Vermeulen, Amanda Halle and great-granddaughters Christina and Emma Lauri.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Flemington Assembly of God, Route 202, Flemington, NJ under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Neshanic Cemetery, Neshanic NJ. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington NJ 08822 or the charity of one’s choice.