Brian Van Ark

January 2, 1957
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June 14, 2021

Brian K. “Bucky” Van Ark, 64, passed away on Monday, June 14, 2021.  He was born on January 2, 1957, in Green Bay to the late Keith and Carole (Hansen) Van Ark.  He attended Preble High School, where he competed in football and hockey, graduating with the class of 1975.  During his high school  years, he was an accomplished pitcher for the Green Bay Blue Ribbons.  With this success, he was offered an invitation to try out for the Chicago Cubs at their minor league training facility. After choosing to decline that invitation he played AAA softball for the 616 Club in Green Bay for several years.  Bucky holds the home run record in slow-pitch softball at Josten Park.  On September 16, 1988, he married Kay Tebon. He began his employment at Renard Machine, subsequently Paper Converting, working in various capacities until his retirement after 45 years.  Bucky was very proud of his Union membership in the UAW 1102.  He had a passion for the outdoors, especially deer hunting, trout fishing, riding his UTV and spending time at the cabin in Armstrong Creek.  Bucky was fond of the years he coached both of his sons’  youth baseball teams.  He was a gun enthusiast, loved his John Deere lawn mowers and was an avid Packers and Cubs fan  — it was a huge moment for him to finally see them win the World Series in 2016.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Kay; sons, Cory Van Ark and Brent (Kelsey) Van Ark; granddaughters, Faith and Paige Van Ark; brother, Steven “Stubby” Van Ark; mother-in-law, Karen Braun; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kevin “Butch” (Lori) Tebon, Jamie (Mike) Yunk and Jason (Amy) Tebon; step-brothers-in-law and step-sisters-in-law, Debbie (Jeff) Dart, Dan Braun and Kelli (Jack) Tuttle; Goddaughter Sara Naze and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and many friends near and far.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Holly Van Ark; sister-in-law, Kim Tebon; brother-in-law, Keith “Keeter” Tebon; father-in-law and step-mother-in-law, Ken and Sandy Tebon; step-father-in-law, Larry Braun; and step-sister-in-law, Wendy Braun.

Friends may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., on Thursday, June 17, 2021, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service begins  at 11:00 a.m. with Deacon Bill Burkel officiating.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund will be established.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff of the 9th floor at St. Vincent Hospital, the caregivers at Prevea and Bellin Health, Davita Fox River Kidney Center and Aurora BayCare Eye Clinic for all of their care and compassion.