Jacob “Jake” Zwaal, 86, a resident of Pantego, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2012.

He was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, the fourth of ten children. He graduated from agricultural school and worked with his brothers before serving in the Dutch army in Indonesia from 1946 to 1949. He was married to Audrey den Otter for 60 years, and together, they immigrated to North Carolina in 1952.

Jake was the owner of Zwaal’s Dairy until he retired in 1986 and was always ready to consider and implement new ideas. During retirement, he found joy in attending basketball and volleyball games at Terra Ceia Christian School, volunteering at Pungo District Hospital, and playing his harmonica at various events.

Jake was an active member of Terra Ceia Christian Reformed Church, where he sang in the choir for many years. He loved a good joke and funny stories and often said, “Laughter is healthy!”

In addition to his wife, Audrey, survivors include two children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren:  Anne (John) Maatman of Sioux Center, Iowa; Anita (Billy) Asby of Terra Ceia; Eric (Tracie, Natalie and Corabeth) Asby of Pinetown; Josh (Alexa, Emerson, Paisley) Asby of Terra Ceia; Jack Maatman of Eagle Rock; Calif.; Heidi (Michael) Hofland of Sioux City, Iowa; and Nikki (Nick) Ehrenberg of St. Paul, Minn. He is also survived by numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews in the Netherlands.

Memorial gifts may be made to Terra Ceia Christian School.

Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. tonight at Hillside Funeral Service in Washington and other times at the home. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Terra Ceia Christian Reformed Church, officiated by Rev. David Weemhof and music by Irene Vander Weit and Jenny Febus. Entombment will follow at Pamlico Memorial Gardens. Roy Hubers, Earl Dehoog, Ken Vander Weit, Ty Rhodes, Dick Van Dorp and Mark Keyzer will serve as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com.

Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington, NC (252) 975-4500, has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Zwaal family.