Homeward Bound! At Queensway Nursing Home, Hensall on Thursday, April 17, 2014 of Exeter in his 78th year. Cherished husband, soul mate, and life-long partner of Sandra (Finkbeiner) Vandeworp for over 50 years. Loving and proud father of Evert Vandeworp and Lisa Brunke of Bridgman, Michigan and Rhonda Vandeworp and Samuel Tumiwa of Alexandria, Virginia. Adoring Opa of step-grandchildren Lena Albanelli and Jessilyn Albanelli, and grandchildren Maya Tumiwa and Jayden Tumiwa. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Bill and Elaine Vandeworp of Dashwood, Annie Vandeworp of London, Alie and Earl Forth of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Dick and Yen Vandeworp of Mt. Brydges and Angela Vandeworp of Exeter. Predeceased by an infant daughter Ruth Elaine, his parents Evert and Antje (Roessink) Vandeworp, brothers Albert (2011), John, and infant brother Johannes. Fondly remembered by very close family friend Shirley Morrow of London, his extended Canadian and Dutch family members, the Finkbeiner clan and Canadian and American friends.
In April 1951, Gerry and his family immigrated from Heino, Netherlands (Gerry’s much-loved homeland) to begin a new life in Ontario, Canada. At the age of 21, Gerry attended Briercrest College and Seminary in Caronport, Saskatchewan. Upon graduating, Gerry served as executive director of the House of Friendship in Kitchener, Ontario for 17 years. Then, as an ordained Mennonite minister, Gerry pastored Bethel Mennonite Church, Elora, Ontario and Stoner Heights Mennonite, Louisville, Ohio until his retirement. Gerry will be remembered for his deep love for his family, strong Christian faith, creative photography, enthusiastic antique collecting, avid vegetable and flower gardening and his infectious laughter.
Many heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Hensall’s Queensway Nursing Home for their care and compassion over the past four years as Gerry battled medical issues.
Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William Street, one west of Main, Exeter on Monday evening from 7-9 PM where the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 2 PM with Pastor Lester Kehl and Pastors Charleen and Kendall Jongejan Harder officiating. Interment Crediton Cemetery.
Donations to the House of Friendship (Kitchener), Mennonite Central Committee of Ontario or Queensway Nursing Home – Residents’ Fund would be appreciated by the family.
VANDEWORP: Gerrit (Gerry) of Exeter and formerly of the Netherlands
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Milt & Barb Dietrich
Bill, Elaine and Family:
Our sincere condolences on Gerry’s passing. Thinking of you at this time.
Judy Finkbeiner Johnson
Dear Sandra:
May the strength and faith that sustained you these past years continue as you go through these difficult times at the loss of your dear husband and may there be some comfort knowing he is free, continuing on another journey as you continue on yours…
Sincerely,
Judy
Bob and Doris Osgood
Condolences on the passing of your loved one. We pray for your peace in the assurance of salvation during this time of grief.
Irene Finkbeiner
Dear Sandra:
It was a shock but also a relief to hear of the loss of your dear husband, but I know that you have a deep faith and you know he also was a strong believe, so you know you will meet again in time…
Our thoughts are with you,
Love,
Irene
Elsie Kuepfer& family (Myron&Charito; Janice)
We are sending our heartfelt condolences to the Vandeworp Family in this difficult time. Gerry will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Our prayers and thoughts are with you…
Sincerely,
The Kuepfer family
Cambridge, Ontario
Gail Parsons
Sandra and Family So sorry for your loss . Gerry was a very special man and he will be greatly missed. The visits from you and your family will be missed by all at Queensway as well. You are in my thougths and prayers Gail
Gord and Joyce Bauman
Sandra and family
You have our sincere sympathy in the passing of Gerry. We have many wonderful memories of all of you during your time at Bethel Mennonite Church. May God give you His peace and comfort.
Joyce and Gord Bauman
Bernice Uebele
Sandra and family:
my sympathy to you at this time. I have been thinking of times at Exeter and in Kitchener. I know your lifetime of good memories will help support you through this time.
Bernice Grainger Uebele
Linda Young
Sandra,
I am sorry to hear about Gerry’s passing. May you hold his memories close to your heart in the coming days. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss seeing you on my weekly visits to Queensway to see my mom.
Fred and JANET O'Hara Havelock Ontario
We are very sorrow to hear if your loss of Gerry
having known you both for a long time many memories we have hadl’
Gerry will be at peace now;
His many years of helping others will never be forgotten.
Vicki Parsons
So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing Sandra! You were such a wonderful caregiver to him! Our deepest condolences to all of your family.
Rochell and Bill Shafer
Dear Sandra and family,
I have great memories of Gerry. In 1975 Gerry hired me to work the desk at the House of Friendship. I was the first Lutheran hired. My husband was in the seminary and my working helped us get through school. Gerry was always there for the men and always was going, he never stopped. I remember going to your house on Sydney St. for a staff gathering and remember all the spring flower in the front yard. Gerry lived his faith. My sympathy for your loss.
Paul Ross
Sandra – please accept my most sincere condolences. Although I did not know Gerry in the best of times, I still consider it a privilege to have known him and to have spent some time with him – and with you. These words of the rich man in Jesus` story come into my mind when I think of Gerry: `Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Master.`- God bless you now and in the time to come.
Ross W. Wein
Dear Sandra and extended families;
Your brother Brian kindly called me with the news that Gerry passed away yesterday. Also I just called my sister Eleanor to learn more about Gerry. I know this is a sad time for you, your children, and other relatives and friends. On behalf of our family, please remember that we are thinking of you.
Sincerely
Your cousin, Ross Wein,
Edmonton, Alberta
Lowell and Joyce Miller
Sending our sympathy to you Sandra,Evert,Rhonda at this difficult time. We have many great memories we can cherish forever.
Catherine & Richard Gill
Dear Sandra, Rhonda and family.
It’s with great sadness that we’ve learned of Gerry’s passing. We know it’s been a rough few years has he fought to overcome his medical issues.
Our hearts go out to you especially during the upcoming days when it’s so difficult to say goodbye to his physical self. We hope you find strength in the days soon ahead to think of him fondly with the warmest of memories.
Sending you each a warm loving embrace.
Much love,
Catherine (McMillen) & Richard Gill
Columbus, Ohio
Polly Stevenson
Gerry was such a blessing to me when he was pastor at Stoner Heights Church in Louisville, OH. He was there for me when my husband died and through the trials I faced during my grieving process. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Tom Hartai
Sandra and family:
Please accept my deepest condolences at this difficult time.
Gerry (and you) have always been such a pleasure to serve in our store in Exeter. He was such a gentle,kind man.
God’s Blessing to you and your family.
Tom Hartai
Thomas H/Brigitte’s
Exeter
Ferne Burkhardt
Dear Sandra and family. Please accept my condolences as you grieve the loss of Gerry. May you find comfort in knowing Gerry has been freed from his limitations and is enjoying being in God’s presence. May you also sense God’s presence and love for you. I have fond memories of sitting in your Ohio yard, listening to stories about your years at House of Friendship when I was researching the history of HOF for the book, A Mighty Flood. The good work Gerry and you, Sandra, did there will always be remembered with gratitude. Blessings, Ferne Burkhardt
phyllis collett
Sandra and the Vandeworp family. Sorry to hears of Gerry,s passing.
But you will always have the good memories. bless the family.
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To the Vandeworp family: Sorry to learn of Gerry passing. He was older than me, however I think I remember him when the family lived at the north end of Exeter. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Marion McCarter
Sandra and your entire family
So sorry to learn of Gerry’s passing. May the memories over the years become treasures for you now and in the future as you journey forward. We will also miss seeing you , Sandra.
Marion McCarter and Olive Thomson
Evelyn Steckle Vincent
Sandra,
Sincere sympathy in your great loss. Praying for God’s peace and comfort over your lives. Gerry is safe with Jesus.