04/24/2026
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 invited to view livestream by visiting the funeral home website and clicking on the link below John’s obituary. 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
Located in Mount Forest, Ontario, England Funeral Home offers personalized service and is proudly committed to serving the community and surrounding areas.
