John VanderWal

April 22, 1930 - April 2, 2020

Dad is home! He went to meet the Father on April 2, 2020 where his new home in heaven has been prepared for him by Jesus, through his death and resurrection. Dad has gone to join a number of family members who preceded him in leaving this earthly home for an eternal life with our Lord. Gone before him are his first wife, Dorothy (1998); grandson, Dylan (2002); parents Geeske (1987) and Jan (1998); brothers Albert (1985) and Stan (2020), He was also preceded in death by sisters-in-law Anne VanderWal, Sadie VanderWal, Audrey VanderWal, Dina Veenbaas and brothers-in-law Dennis Klazinga, Donald Vroom, Stewart Klazinga, and Oscar Veenbaas.Dad lived to be 89, dying just 20 short days before his 90th birthday. He had just celebrated 20 years of marriage with his second wife, Margaret, the day he fell ill. He is survived by wife Margaret, children Ellie (John) Ryskamp, John VanderWal (Carol), Gwen (Will) Groenewegen, Barb VanderWal, Sylvia VanderWal, and Sarina (John) DeBoer. He is survived as well by 15 grandchildren Sarah, Michelle, Andrew, Pam, David, Nick, Jonathan, Jonelle, William, Chris, Jordan, Kristin, Devon, Maddie, and Jada, along with their spouses or partners, and 29 great grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by stepchildren Cathy (Mark) Smith, Fred (Lorna) Boer, Edith Ann (Harry) Poort, Tony (Talin) Boer, Rick Boer, and Teresa (Rick) Sennema along with their children and grandchildren. As well, his living siblings Melle (Grace), Bill (Donna), Hep (Marie), and in-laws Tiete Klazinga, Gladys Vroom, Sylvia (Fred) Boonstra, Jannie Klazinga, and Melvin (Harriet) Klazinga grieve with us. Dad loved his family with his whole heart. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Rest In Peace, Dad. We are blessed to have had our lives touched by you. Grateful thanks to the nurses working in the Covid unit at Bluewater Health. Their compassionate care for Dad was much appreciated. A private graveside service will be held on Monday, April 6, 2020 at 2 p.m. We’re considering honouring Dad with a memorial at a later date. Should you wish to remember Dad in a concrete way, a financial contribution in his name could be made to John Knox Christian School Society.