John van den Elzen, passed away, suddenly at his home, on Thursday, December 12, 2019, at the age of 80. John was a kind and caring man. His bright, brilliant smile was infectious. John’s jovial personality was a source of joy within his family and our community. A visit with friends, a rousing game of cards or a tour through the countryside with the top down on his red convertible were good times for John.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Mary (née van Boekel ) with whom he shared 52 years of happy married life and their children Angela and Ivo Gerretsen, Teresa and Tuncay Ercan, John and Marta van den Elzen, Marilyn and David Bolinger and James van den Elzen and Laura McGrath. Cherishing memories of a much loved Opa are grandchildren Deniz, Kaitlin, Tony, Peter, Olivia, Elisa, Denzel, Katrina, Isabella and Liam. Left to reminisce days gone by are siblings and siblings-in-law Bets and Jan Kerkhof, Riek van Sleeuven, Theo and Leny van den Elzen, Sjaan and Rien van der Pas, Truus and Gerard van der Pas, Jean van Boekel, Jerry and Thea van Boekel, Ivonne van Boekel, Nellie Bauer, John and Frances van Boekel, Peter and Chris van Boekel and a large circle of nieces and nephews.
In faith, we trust John’s spirit is reunited in eternal life with siblings and siblings-in-law Bill and Mary van den Elzen, An and Bert Wetering, Tieny and Jan Verkuylen, Harrie van Sleeuven, Harrie van den Elzen, his parents Martin and Marie Ann (née Ketelaars) van den Elzen, Ralph Bauer, Maurice van Boekel and Martin van Boekel.
Arrangements are entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, 87 Goderich Street West, Seaforth. Visitation will take place at St James Catholic Church, 22 Victoria Street, Seaforth, on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 10-10:45 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass commencing at 11 a.m. Father Philip Joseph celebrant. A reception will be held at Seaforth Legion, Branch 156. Interment will take place in St. James Cemetery at a later date.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to St. James Catholic Church Building Fund or Huron Residential Hospice would be appreciated by the family.
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).
jan kerkhof
lieve Mary en familie,
Wij hebben het droevige nieuws ontvangen van broer/ome Jan.
Ondanks de grote afstand is hij toch in gedachten bij ons.
Heel veel sterkte , warmte en liefde van ons allen.
Jan en Bets Kerkhof.
Corinne, Geert, Jan, Antonet, Maja, John.
Carolanne Doig
So sorry to hear of John’s passing and offer my sincere sympathy to Mary and the entire family. John was always very cheerful and I loved watching him touring around town in the comfortable or enjoying the golf from his back porch.
Marcel van den Elzen
Lieve Tante Mary en familie,
We zijn erg geschrokken.
De humor, glimlach en zijn warme persoonlijkheid zal ik nooit vergeten.
Heel veel sterkte gewenst namens ons allemaal.
Femke, Teun en Marcel van den Elzen.
Tonny & Jan Gerrits
We were shocked by the message that Jan passed away. We had always a great time with Jan and Mary when we were over in Seaforth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in these difficult times. We will miss Jan.
MARY ELLEN FINLAYSON
Marilyn and the van den Elzen families,
So sorry to to hear about your dad passing. I remember hanging out at the farm and him always having a smile and enjoying a good time.
Thinking of you all,
Mary Ellen (Webster) Finlayson
Toni Brand
Sorry to hear about your losing John, Mary My condolences to you and your children
Jung Rita (van den Elzen)
Dear aunt Mary and family,
I learned with great sadness the passing of uncle John. Time and distance have parted us but his welcome was always warm and cheerful. At this difficult time i would like to present my condolences and all my sympathy.
Van. Boekel
Our heartfelt sympaties
to MARY and her FAMILY.
We will miss him and his
SMILE !
We love you All.
JERRY and. THEA
Connie & Mike Marion
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mary at this sad time. His cheerful smile will always be remembered. Hugs.
Michael & Kate Moriarty
Deepest Sympathy Mary to you & family . You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Tina Driscoll
Mary and family,
Sorry to hear about the passing of John. Sending our heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time.
Tina, Kyler and Brooklyn
Anita Gross and Scott Allen
Van Den Elzen family
We express our deepest sympathies to your family John always welcomed us into his home and greeted us with that brilliant smile and a twinkle in his eye. Cherish your memories and please take comfort that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Catherine Melady
Mary & family: My deepest sympathy to all of you at this sad and difficult time.
Eria and Steffen Larsen
We are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Angela and your family.
Pete Overdevest
So sorry for your loss. Accept our condolences. John was a very kind man and I loved playing cards with him.
Bogusia
Our deepest condolences
Bogusia and Henry
Monique Baan
We are so sorry to hear of Johns passing. We will miss his visits to the Library. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family.
Anet van den Elzen
Dear tante Mary, so very sorry to hear about oom Jan passing away. I remember very happy and funny times at your home, with ome Jan always making the best jokes. You will all miss him so much. Sending you warm thoughts and strength the coming times for you and your children and grandchildren. Much love Anet ( van ome Theo)
David & Jodi Paulson
Condolences on your loss! Thoughts and prayers for you all!!
Joyce Doig
Dear Mary and Family: You are in my thoughts and prayers. John was a very special neighbour to all of us . Joyce Doig
Rose Janssen (Van Boekel)
Always the smiling, happy greeter at every family event! He always approached each of us to converse about life . Fond memories of farm family reunions . Memory of long ago at 2:00 am in the barn watching him help two cows give birth and eagerly, in amazement I fed the first born calf. His “perhaps” recommendations or “maybe” suggestions always opened others thoughts and way of thinking . His laughter and his love for each moment of each day will be felt by many for always.
He was an inspiration to be positive and smile – there’s always a rainbow somewhere!
I will miss you … love always
Mart Verkuijlen
Tante Mary en familie,
We lazen de obituary van ome Jan. Wat ontroerend, mooi en herkenbaar. We wensen jou en jullie gezin heel veel sterkte bij het overlijden van ome Jan, wat een groot gemis.
Veel liefs,
Mart en Hennie Verkuijlen
ShanaLee Pereira
Our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of, John. You will be in our prayers.
Rudy Jansen
Deepest sympathy to all of you and your Family Mary. Rudy Mary Jansen
Jack and Fran Malone
We are so sorry Mary,your family,and especially Angela,who is our favorite vet. He was a gentle man.We will miss your handshakes and smiles. We know you will find some peace with the love of your family.
Jack and Fran Malone
Don and Amanda Poppe
Our condolences to your family at this time of loss and sadness…we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Don and Amanda Poppe
Mike Van Boekel
Many very good times at the farm with the annual Family Reunion. Like many of my cousins I had my first beer at the farm upon graduating from grade 8. Playing in the barns and sliding into a fresh cow patty during the annual family baseball game. Then the summer ritual of trying to throw all the aunts into the pool and in the middle of it all was Uncle John tossing everyone of us kids into the pool that he could catch, always laughing.
Leann
…Love and Light to you all! Cherish every one of the wonderful memories You have in your heart ❤️!
I know I will-such a lovely man full of warmth and fun! Much Love! Leann, Bob, Cory, Ryan Raven xo
Ken and Elaine DeCorte
Our heartfelt sympathies to the whole family. Cor, Rina and Mien have gained another friend in heaven.
Ken and Elaine DeCorte
Kyle, Jeff and Leah
Jeanette Connolly
Mary and family, you have my sincerest sympathy. Bask in the memories!
Jenn Orr
May you find peace and love in the memories you share. My thoughts are with you Angela and family.
Maureen and Merv Agar
Mary, family and friends,
Our sincere condolences to you on the passing of a wonderful family man. We imagine the card games have already started and he will be reminiscing with old friends and family. Your memories will keep him alive in your hearts.
Thinking of you,
Merv and Maureen Agar
Murray&Marlene Forbes
Sorry for your great loss
Gerard & Truus van der Pas
Dear Mary and children,
Our deepest condolences. We wish we could be with you and hug you.
We would like you to know that in our thoughts and heart we are with you through this difficult time.
Love,
Gerard & Truus
Bertine van der Pas
We will miss ome Jan with his big smile and humor. We wish we could be there, the distance has never been greater than now! We are so happy that we visited you 2 years ago. It will always stay as a beautiful memory in our heart.
Love -xxx- Bertine, Dante & Ilai
Gladys and Jerry Greydanus
Oh Mary and family, so sorry to hear of Johns passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you. RIP John.
Jim and Brenda McIntosh
John will be sadly missed as he was such a good neighbour, who enjoyed his family and his bright red Chrysler Convertible . His Wife Mary with John enjoyed their life together and keeping their house and lot so well looked after. Mary, you have a strong and supportive family with you, and they will have to try to fill in some of the alone time that you are going to be faced with. We are sorry that we can not be there for you now as we are at Donna in Southern Texas,
Ann Preszcator
Mary and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Martin Van Den Elzen
Mary and family
We are very sorry to hear about ohm Yan
All your family is in our thoughts and prayers
Martin Van Den Elzen and family
Larry and Dianne McGrath
Mary and Family: Our sincere condolences in the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. We always enjoyed John’s sense of humour and his cheerful disposition. He will be missed by his loved ones and the community.
Helen Harris
Angela, Ivo, Kaitlin and Tony
Sorry to learn of your father passing.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Helen
Mandy Duffy
Mary and family
I’m sorry to read john s passing! I will miss my little chats with him!
Keeping u all in my thoughts and prayers!