Obituary of Willem Vander Horst

Willem Vander Horst Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Strathroy on February 19, 2019 in his 79th year. He was born the second child and only son of his parents, Evert van der Horst and Johanna Elisabet Niesing, in Baarn, the Netherlands. Losing both his parents by the age of 11 meant that he was off into the workforce as a farm labourer at a very early age. It was always Dad’s dream to have a farm of his own, and he knew that moving to Canada was the only way that dream could be accomplished. And so it was that only days after he was released from his service in the Dutch army that he immigrated to Forest, Ontario in 1962. He soon met his sweetheart Antonia Joosse, and they were married in 1965. The couple soon became a rapidly growing family, with John, Everett, Janice and Ken all having arrived by the time Dad accomplished his dream of farm ownership in 1972. He was an active member at Forest Christian Reformed Church, and later at Westmount Christian Reformed Church. The decision was made to retire from dairy farming in 1989, and Dad and Mom made the move to Strathroy. Dad enjoyed his new vocation, driving truck all over the province as a flower salesman for Rose-A-Lea. He retired a second time and settled into enjoyment of grandchildren, fishing, travel and a second home in Frostproof, Florida. After 14 years of dealing with cancer, Dad was tired. While he was not at the point of saying he was ready to meet his Lord, his faith gave him hopeful assurance of the rest and peace that is his blessing, now and forever. Predeceased by his dear sister Alie (2017) and brother-in-law Art (2000). Much loved by his wife Antonia; his children John (Kathleen) Vander Horst, Everett and Christa Vander Horst, Janice and Mike Chachulski, and Kenneth and Marg Vander Horst; and his grandchildren Matthew, Jennifer, Ian, Maddie and Liam; Laura, Eric and Jason; Andrew and Riley; Avery, Anthony and Asia. Will also be missed by in-laws Joanne Joosse, Lena and John Pasma and Carolyn and Bill Klyn Hesselink, and many nieces and nephews. Dad/Opa, we were blessed to have you as our father and opa; know that you will be greatly missed, until we meet again. We love you dearly. A special thank you to the staff at the London Cancer Center for all their care and kindness, and especially to nurse Myra and Dr. Phua. Friends will be received on Friday, February 22nd, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Westmount Christian Reformed Church, 405 Drury Ln, Strathroy, ON; where a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 at 2 p.m. as an expression of sympathy, donations to the Strathroy Community Christian School would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY, www.strathroyfuneralhome.com.