John Vanderleeuw
April 23, 2026
VANDERLEEUW, John – With hearts full of gratitude for a life well lived, our family announces that the Lord took unto himself our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
John is forever loved and will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, Mary, and by his children, Stan and Joanne Vanderleeuw, Marlene and John Askes and his son-in-law Rick George. He was the treasured Grandpa of Bryan and Johanna Vanderleeuw, Michael and Tara Vanderleeuw, Jonathan and Emilya Vanderleeuw, Brad Vanderleeuw, Melissa and Brandon Wilhelm, Jillian Askes (Kyle Puljar), and Cameron Exel (Marija Jovanovic). He leaves behind his precious great-grandchildren, Annabel, Charley, Romy, Isla, Cleo, Zoey and Jax. He is survived by his sister, Florence (Stuart) Schaafsma and his brothers and sisters-in-law Anne Vanderleeuw, Wilma Vanderleeuw, Bill and Hetty Sluys, Ted and Lena Sluys, Linda Sluys (late Harry), Lena and Kees Schenk, Alice Vanderlaan (late Boots), Matt Sluys (late Ruthanne) and Wiebe Nywening.
He was predeceased by his daughter Wendy George (2017), his son Bill Vanderleeuw (2022) and his grandson, Eric Exel (2019). Also predeceased by his brothers, Melvin, Jake and Jim and his sisters, Tena Kielstra and Margaret Nywening.
John was born in 1934 to his parents Stan (Sietze) Vanderleeuw and Christine (Stijntje Klooster) Vanderleeuw and was raised and was proud to have grown up in Friesland, Netherlands. He immigrated to Ontario with his family at age 17. In 1951, he started his career at TD Bank as a teller, eventually working his way to bank manager at several branches throughout southwestern Ontario, retiring in 1993 in Mount Forest. In 1956, he married Mary Sluys. During their 69 years of marriage, they built a life anchored in love, hard work, and steadfast faith. Together they raised their four children, enjoying many vacations in northern Ontario camping, boating, and fishing, with many campfires shared with friends and family. He loved to golf and was competitive into his 80s, always wanting to challenge his sons and sons-in-law to a game – he proudly noted and kept some score cards. John and Mary made many friends in the various towns they lived in and the various churches they attended. They were active members of the Palmerston Christian Reformed Church for many years. He was also a long-standing member of the Lions Club and a member/driver for Cancer Patient Services.
His laugh was loud, his generosity held no bounds, and he loved life and lived it to the fullest.
Visitation will be held at the England Funeral Home, 294 Main Street South, Mount Forest, on Wednesday, April 29th from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Palmerston Christian Reformed Church, 400 Whites Road, Palmerston, on Thursday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. If you are unable to attend the service in-person, you are welcome to view a live stream by clicking on the link below. Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to the church hall for refreshments and fellowship. Private interment will be held at Mount Forest Cemetery at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of John are asked to consider Cancer Patient Services or the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation, Mount Forest. Donations and online condolences may be made at www.englandfuneralhome.com
Funeral Service for John Vanderleeuw
Condolences
On behalf of the Mount Forest Lions , I wish to express our sincere condolences for your loss. Lion John was a very loyal member and involved in Lions for many years .
Lion President Joanne
Thinking of you and wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
— Katelyn Garvey, April 30, 2026So sorry to hear of John's passing will miss him at Wednesday cards. He was a true gentlemn and Mary took such great care of him. Cherish the memories
— Carol Riddell, April 29, 2026Stan, Joanne, and family
My deepest condolences. I recall him welcoming me into his house in Mitchell years ago, and I'm sure such pleasant memories will be a comfort to everyone in the days ahead.
Dear Mary & all who love John. We are so sad to hear of John's passing. What a blessing to have known such a wonderful man. We will miss our chats and his laughter. Rest easy dear friend.
Dear Mary and family,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of John. I shall miss the many chats I had with him and the wonderful support he gave me when we were both on the Cancer Patient Service's Committee. A gentleman through and through. Thinking of you. Maureen
Dear Mary and family,
We were so deeply saddened to hear about John’s passing. When we think of our time on Oakwood Crescent, we always picture John out in the garden. His presence, smile, and laugh made the neighbourhood feel like home. Sending you our love and strength.
Doug Hopkins and family
Mary and family:
Our deepest condolences to Mary and family. We were neighbors of Mary and John when they resided on Oakview Crescent, Mount Forest. We shared many happy visits together both at home and with the Mount Forest Lions Club social events. Memories that will last forever.
Bill Kreps and family.
lieve Mary en fam.
Gecondoleerd met het verlies van John.
Heel veel sterkte voor nu en de komende tijd.
Liefs Eppie en Fokje en de kinderen
Uit Veenwouden. Friesland
Heartfelt condolences to Mary and her family on the passing of John. He was a good friend and neighbour to my parents in the condos and I know he will be deeply missed. Strength will see you thru this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Shelley and Robert Woodhouse ( Carm and Florence’s daughter). May John get a hole in one in heaven!
Mary and Family
We express our sincere sympathy to your family. As a fellow banker, you can be assured John was well respected and loved by his peers at TD. We enjoyed being with both of you at our cottage, in your home and at various social events within the bank. You two were a special couple and John will be missed.
Dear family from Holland with love, we are thinking for you and wish you strength and courage.
Dear Aunt Mary, Stan, Marlene & families,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss and the passing of our Uncle John.
I am unable to be there this week but happy to know my mom and sibs will be attending.
Sending condolences, best wishes and huge hugs to all of you.
Leslie
Our deepest sympathies, Mary. John wasa fine man, and wonderful to work with on Cancer Patient Services Board and as a driver. We will miss him.
Rosemary & Raymond
John was a good friend and customer, he was the first to welcome me to Mount Forest in 1989 on behalf of the bank, and always had a friendly word in the many Lions Club meetings we attended. He will be missed. My condolences to Mary and the family.
— John Roberts, April 26, 2026Our sincere condolences to you Stan and Joanne, and to Stan’s mom Mary.
As neighbours of Stan and Joanne we have heard many stories of John and his family and truly understand how deeply loved this man was.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.
Larry and Karen Lynn
Deepest sympathies to the family. We met John ( and Mary ) at the Lions Club. He always had a smile and a warm hello. We shared memories of Panama City Beach
He will be missed.
Susan & Bill
Dear Aunt Mary, Stan, Marlene & families,
Sincere sympathies to you all.
Such a beautifully written tribute to Uncle John!
He truly was a blessing to so many throughout his life.
Sorry we cannot attend next week.
We will surely be in touch with Aunt Mary in future.
God bless you all with comfort now and in the times ahead.
Heartfelt hugs,
Chris & Margaret
Mary and family we are very sorry to learn of John's passing. He was a fine man,a great boss and was well respected in the town. His great smile and wonderful laugh will always be with us. May he rest in peace.
— Robert Hunter, April 25, 2026Dear Mary and family
We were so sad to hear the news of John's passing.Our whole family has such wonderful memories of you both and your very loved family.Living across the street from.John and Mary was an amazing time.We started out as neighbour's and became fast friends.Johns wonderful laugh and enjoyment of life especially our Friday nite get together will remain as one of our fondest memories. Sending our deepest sympathy and love.Jack,Nancy and family
On behalf of Cancer Patient Services, I wish to offer our sincere condolences to Mary and all of John’s Family on the passing of a true gentleman. John was a valued member of the CPS board for many years. His financial acumen was an asset to the board and he shared it and his wisdom on many matters freely. John is missed on the board and he will be missed by all who knew him. We will continue to support cancer patients in the spirit and compassion he alway brought to our meetings. RIP John.
Sincerely Faye Meulensteen, President, Cancer Patient Services.
Mary, and all of John's family, my heart breaks with you. I only had the pleasure of John's company briefly, but it was most memorable and the love surrounding him was palpable. May you all be flooded with memories of laughter and the joy of John's time here on earth.
— Janet Greenwood, April 25, 2026So sorry for your loss.
John and Mary joined our Mount Forest Seniors Group a few years ago.
They were very cherished members. They loved to play double Euchre. John you will truly be missed. Just not seeing your oxygen cord running across the floor, will remind is that you are not there.
Rest in peace
With a heavy heart, I thank God for blessing us with such a wonderful man. John had a truly kind, generous spirit—caring, fun, and full of life. From camping, & fishing to cards and prayers, he shared a lot with me. He was genuinely, one of a kind, always smiling and laughing, and he will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences to Mary and everyone in the family. I loved him dearly.
— Karen, April 25, 2026Dear Aunt Mary, Stan & Joanne and family, Marlene & John and family,
My deepest sympathies on the loss of Uncle John. He was always so kind, happy and thoughtful. Everyone will miss that smile and hearty laugh. I wish him peace. Love, Sherri
We are saddened to hear of John's passing. We met John and Mary in 1989 when I joined the Mount Forest Lions club. We worked together at many events over the years. He always had a smile and kind words to say. Always asking how our family was doing. We'll miss him.
We'll ""Treasure our Memories and those Memories will become the Greatest Treasures of all""
Mary and family🙏So sorry to hear of your loss. I will miss my long chats and words of wisdom with John along with his great laugh. Always a smile. RIP my friend
Heather💗
Dear Aunt Mary, Stan, Marlene and family
I send you my condolences and hugs as you miss your beloved Husband, Dad and Grandfather.
Uncle John was always fun to be around. His phone calls to our Mom, Tena, especially in her last years was a blessing!
May you all find peace in the promise of meeting him again in joy everlasting.
Sorry I will not see you in the days ahead but will be supporting you by watching the funeral service online.
Again, hugs!
Love,
Christine.
Mary..
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We hope you’ll find comfort in your shared memories, and John’s Love will continue to guide you in the coming days.
Sandy and Dennis Bolton