Wilco VanderWal

Peacefully, surrounded by loving family on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Bluewater Health, Wilco VanderWal passed away at the age of 93. Beloved husband of Donna VanderWal. Loving father of John (the late Cathy) VanderWal, Ron (Cindy) VanderWal, Mel (Lynne) VanderWal, Marcia VanderWal (late Dale Cameron), and Gail (Phil) Eyre. Cherished grandfather of Kyle (Mandie) VanderWal, Andrea VanderWal (Steve Havens); Jennifer (Giorgio) Caceres, Bill (Kristine) VanderWal, Kerri (Jeff) Bourne, Dan VanderWal; Will Wernert, Mike VanderWal (Julien Schieman), Cheryl VanderWal (Ethan Dodds); Josh VanderWal; and Alysha and Ryan Eyre. Treasured great-grandfather of 15. Dear brother of Hep (Marie) VanderWal, brother-in-law of Pat (late Wes) Kootstra, Doreen (late Harry) Boersma, Andy (late Jenny) (Margaret) Berg, Martha Berg, the late Mike (Barb) Berg, Lodewyk (late Meino) Zylstra, and Margaret (late John, late Dorothy) VanderWal. Predeceased by his parents’ John and Geeske VanderWal, his brothers Melle (Ana, Sadie, Grace), Halbe (Audrey), Stan (Evelyn) VanderWal; his in-laws Herman (Nell) Berg, Marie (Bill) Sipkens, Wilma (John) Vanderlinde, and Fred (Clara) Berg. Wilco immigrated to Canada with his parents and siblings in 1948. He enjoyed fishing, boating, camping at Six Mile Lake “love island”, farming, spending Sundays with his family, but most importantly living life with the love of his life Donna. The family wishes to thank the Bluewater Health Emergency department including Dr. Grochowski, Lambton EMS-Community Paramedic Program, local Paramedics, Care Partners, and Health at Home for their care and compassion. A special thank you to Dr. Robert Borek for his many years of care. Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. A private funeral service will be held for immediate and extended family. For those not attending, a livestream of his service will be available at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026 on his memorial page. A private family burial will follow in Blackwell Cemetery. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to the Sarnia Christian School, the Kidney Foundation Sarnia-Lambton, or Diabetes Canada (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.

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