Harlow "Poncho" Ver Hagen, 73, of Belvidere, died unexpectantly Friday night, September 26, 2008 in his home following a long term illness. He was born June 21, 1935 in Chili, Wi., the son of Edward and Irene (Gourlie) Ver Hagen, dairy farmers who also ran the family cheese factories. Harlow was educated in Chili and Granton, Wi. schools. Harlow drove a milk truck for the cheese factories and worked dairy farms while in Wisconsin. He married Laura Anna Gump in Rockford, Il. on April 16, 1955. He moved to Rockford in 1955, working for Ropers, Estwings Co., in construction and at the Janesville GM plant. In 1957, he moved to Brandon and then to Dover, Fl. While in Florida, he worked at goat farms, cattle ranches and shipyards. In 1963, he moved his family to Belvidere and was a mechanic for the Green Giant plant where he became known as "Poncho" until retiring in 1991. He worked for the Bonus Township maintaining roads and snow plowing retiring in 1998. Over the years, Harlow enjoyed doing repairs for his friends from his home garage. His favorite things in life were going to auctions, junk collecting, listening to polka music, watching westerns and wrestling on TV, and attending steam shows. He is survived by six children, Edward (Jean) Ver Hagen, Garden Prairie; Chuck Ver Hagen, Poplar Grove; Bonnie Cowles-Ver Hagen, Caledonia; Connie Ver Hagen, Rockford; Cindy Roman, Poplar Grove; Crystal (Brian) Hinz, Roscoe; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; six siblings, Lester Ver Hagen; Twin Falls, Id.; Joyce Gilbertson, Rockford; Edna Kapusta, Oregon, Wi.; Margie (Al) Meier, Oregon, Wi.; Luke(Char) Ver Hagen, Yakima, Wa.; and Larry (Liz) Ver Hagen, Fitchburg, Wi.a sister-in-law, Lillian "Tudy" Ver Hagen, Cherry Valley, Il., brother-in-law, Donald Kapusta, Oregon, Wi. and sister-in-law, Mary (Cecil) Boatwright. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Laura in 2004, a grandson, John Risse; two sisters, Elnor Kapusta and Norma (Bud) Tauschek; twin-brother, Howard Ver Hagen in 1991 and brother-in-law, "Doc" Gilbertson.