John Hoonaard

John Hoonaard went home to glory on Jan. 21 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was in his 75th year.

 

John was the beloved husband of Jenny for 47 years; the loving Dad of Tina (Todd) Lang, Peter (Kim) Hoonaard, Carl Hoonaard, Evan Hoonaard and Camellia Hoonaard (Brett Van Dyk) and the loving Grandpa of Taia, Nathan, Mackenzie, Meadow, Shelby, Corbin, Grant and Theodore. John was the brother of Clem (Janet) Hoonaard. John was the brother-in-law of Evert (Liz) Stryker, Henrietta (Fred) VanderSterre, Carl (Wilma) Stryker, Albert (Deb) Stryker and John (Charlene) Stryker. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins. John was predeceased by his parents Piet and Mary and in-laws Ralph and Jantina. 

 

John was born in Holland and immigrated to Canada with his parents and older brother in 1949, first settling in the Exeter area and then on the farm on Walton Road. John bought the family farm in 1973 and married Jenny the following year. Together they raised their five children on the farm and eventually retired to their new home in Blyth. 

 

John was someone who enjoyed life to the fullest. He would say, “Let’s have coffee first and then we’ll get at it, if not today, then tomorrow.” He always had a friendly, light-hearted manner about him and would soon have you laughing with him.

 

John loved the natural world, whether birdwatching with his binoculars, or sitting on a stone pile watching the cattle graze in the pasture field. John was a talented fine woodworker and gardener. The last few years he enjoyed riding his e-bike on the Goderich-to-Guelph Rail Trail and tending to his beehives. Even though cancer shortened his life, he was very thankful for the years the Lord gave him. 

 

Visitation took place at the Blyth Christian Reformed Church on Monday, Jan. 24. The funeral service was held on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Pastor Gary van Leeuwen  officiated.

 

A livestream of the service can be viewed on the Blyth Christian Reformed Church YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/channel/UC0DTNoKAr8Y83bpNQvd4xow A memorial video for John can be viewed at www.icloud.com/photos/#02fBk3FVpxq_L_tpjefZh1ODA

 

Interment will be held in the spring at Blyth Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers and as expression of sympathy, donations to the Huron Hospice or the G2G Rail Trail would be appreciated.

 

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Box 171, Blyth N0M 1H0. Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca