Dr. Douglas Van Rees

Douglas E. Van Rees, DO. 72 of Canfield, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, February 28th at the Cleveland Clinic. Doug was born January 12, 1952 in Oskaloosa, IA, a son of the late Morris W. and Josephine L. (Parker) Van Rees and came to this area in 1977 for his residency.  

 He graduated  from the University of Iowa in 1974 and received his medical degree from Des Moines Osteopathic College, in 1977. Doug served his residency at St. Elizabeth Obstetrics and Gynecology and was offered the Assistant Directorship in OB/GYN at St. Elizabeth Hospital in 1981. Doug was in private practice from 1982 – 2007. He was one of the first in the state to open an out patient surgery center in Boardman. After his retirement from private practice he worked in addiction medicine for the past eight years. 

 Doug’s  hobby was horses. He loved horses; raising horses and was instrumental in having his children show horses. He also looked forward to family vacations, especially enjoying his trips to Lake Oconee, Georgia, Hilton Head and Florida, but might have preferred to be in Oklahoma and Texas where the horses were! 

 He leaves his wife, the former Debra Osborn, whom he married August 1, 1971; his four children, Jason Van Rees of Tampa, FL, Adam (Dawn) Van Rees of Tampa, FL, Mara (Tony) Fritz of Ocala, FL, Brie (Dave) Commesso of Boardman and six grandchildren, Samantha, Connor, Max, Alexa, Vivian and Lincoln. Doug also leaves two brothers, Greg (Judy) Van Rees of Oskaloosa, IA, Victor (Debbie) Van Rees of Iowa City, and in-laws Sam Chianello, Rex (Sue) Osborn, Greg (Holly) Osborn, Terry (Mary Ann) Osborn and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Doug was preceded in death by his sister, Cheryl Chianello. 

 There will be a Celebration of Doug’s Life gathering Saturday, March 9^th from 11:00 a.m until 1:00 p.m. at R46 Restaurant, 5231 S. Canfield-Niles Rd., Canfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests material tributes take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.