Prairie State Wire

William Joseph Van Allen, age 69, of Cedar Lake, IN, formerly of South Holland, IL, peacefully entered eternal rest on March 27, 2025. He was born on June 3, 1955, in Chicago, IL. William was the loving husband of Patti Maksoudian, nee Tallman, whom he married on February 16, 2018, in Crown Point, IN. He is survived by his children, Jennifer Van Allen (Jorge Calvente), Timothy Van Allen, and William Van Allen Jr. His granddaughter, Celeste Ivy Calvente, held a special place in his heart. William was the dear brother of Kathleen (late Robert) Kalmes of Dyer, IN, Joseph Van Allen of Schererville, IN, and was preceded in death by Janet and Timothy Van Allen. He is also survived by his nephews, cousins, extended family, and numerous friends. William was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Margaret G. (nee Anderson) Van Allen.

Raised in South Holland, Illinois, William attended St. Jude the Apostle Grammar School, Mendel Catholic High School, and graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1974. He worked for South Holland Public Works and the South Holland Fire Department as a firefighter paramedic. He later worked as a warehouse manager at DeYoung Furniture and retired in 2020 as a courier for Rubino, Rubin, Crosmer, and Polen law firm in Dyer, Indiana. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, attending sports games, and traveling with his family.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane, Dyer, IN. Inurnment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s name to Hospice of the Calumet Area would be appreciated.

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