Joseph A. Van Dreumel
Corporal, United States Army
September 21, 1978 – August 14, 2011
Age – 32
Grand Rapids, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany
Killed while conducting vehicle operations and encountered a secondary explosion while dismounted.
Following his father and grandfather into the military wasn’t what Joseph VanDreumel initially planned as a career, until being laid off from a western Michigan furniture company prompted him to reconsider. The married father of two had been building office systems for Zeeland-based office furniture and accessories maker Herman Miller Inc.
“He was laid off with the big downturn in 2008,” his father said. “He was going to support his family all costs. He called me up one day and said, ‘Dad, I’m going to join the Army.’” His second career choice pleased both his father and father-in-law, Allen Greiner. The elder VanDreumel retired from the Navy after 24 years, and Greiner served 20 years with the Michigan Army National Guard. Joseph VanDreumel’s grandfather, Ken Phillips, served in the Air Force’s Presidential Flight Crew.
Joseph found a fit in the Army as a corporal who recovered broken-down vehicles. During a recent visit to see his son and family in Germany, Dennis VanDreumel said his son, who grew up in western Michigan and graduated from Jenison High School in 1997, told him “he loved his job, he loved the Army.” He felt it was the right decision. It was an experience and opportunity for the entire family.
Joseph VanDreumel, 32, was helping recover a disabled mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, in Afghanistan when he was killed by a roadside bomb.
Joseph served his country and his family with the highest level of honor and admiration. He will be truly missed by all whom have had contact with him.