Obituary of Leonard Nickolas Vanderheiden
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VANDERHEIDEN, LEONARD NICKOLAS: After a long and courageous battle with cancer, our husband, father and grandfather, Leonard, passed away at McNally House Hospice in Grimsby on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the far too young age of 56. Beloved husband and best friend of Jane for 35 years. Loved and sadly missed by his three sons and daughters-in-law Mark and Lisa Vanderheiden of Beamsville, Jeff and Christine Vanderheiden of Grimsby, and Andrew and Brooke Vanderheiden of Smithville. Dear grandpa of Bradley; Evan and Emma Jane; and Brayden and another grandchild arriving in the spring. Loving son of Gertie Vanderheiden and brother of Louise and Eric Strating, Nellie and Norm Schuurman, Jim Vanderheiden, Therese and Nico Barendregt, Jackie and Len Hordyk and John and Amanda Vanderheiden. Uncle to many nieces and nephews. Also survived by a large extended family. Predeceased by his father Nick Vanderheiden (2004). Leonard's passion was to drive anything with wheels, the more wheels the better. He was a 25 year employee of Battlefield Equipment Rentals, working as a float driver, and enjoying every minute of it. He was just as at home in a tractor trailer as he was on his farm tractor on his beloved "Never a Dull Moment" farm. Leonard loved people and they loved him as shown by the large number of visitors he had at home, hospital and hospice during the last few months and before then as well. Leonard was a longtime friend of Bill W. Visitation for friends and family will be held at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Friday, March 2 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Smithville United Church, 116 West Street (Regional Road 20), Smithville on Saturday, March 3 at 11 am. Private interment at Grimsby Mountain Cemetery will precede the service. If desired, memorial donations to McNally House Hospice or CAP (Cancer Assistance Program, Hamilton) would be appreciated and can be made through the funeral home.
