Remi VanOverloop

A photo of Remi VanOverloop

Service:

St. Joseph's Church, Chatham
Tuesday February 9, 2016
Words of Remembrance will take place at 9:30 a.m.
Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 a.m.

Visitation:

Blenheim Community Funeral Home
Monday February 8, 2016
2:00 - 4:00 & 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Parish Prayers will be offered at 7:00 p.m.

Remi August VanOverloop, born August 14, 1930, passed peacefully on February 6, 2016, at 85 years of age. Remi was born to the late Honore and Leonie VanOverloop in Chatham-Kent, where he pursued his passion for agriculture all the years of his life. A faithful husband, the best 63 of these years for Remi were those spent working alongside his cherished wife, Alice VanOverloop (Schouppe). Together, they built a farm and raised five children: Constance Kersten, Lorrie Clark (Wayne), Michael VanOverloop (Shelley), Stephanie Kluka (Stephen Chau) and Patricia deBrouwer (Ben). In the later years of his life, Remi dedicated much time to and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brent (Heather), Colin (Natalie) and Devon Clark, Courtney (Matt) Kersten-Kwan and Jordan (Krystin) Kersten, Alecia (Josh) Butzer and Nathan (Kim) VanOverloop, Mitchell (Jenny) and Daniel Kluka, Morgan (Kyle) Craven, Cayley (Eric) and Athena deBrouwer, Landon and Lleyton Clark, Levi and Jovie Butzer, Elise and Charlotte Clark, Selena Davis and expected great-grandchild VanOverloop. He was predeceased by grandchild Weston deBrouwer and great-grandchild Yvie Butzer.

As a young man, Remi was a mechanic for International Harvester and held several positions at The British Leaf while saving to buy a farm. Upon purchasing land of his own, Remi tackled the challenging work of many speciality crops, and even introduced the mechanical cabbage harvester to Canada. In the winter, he spent long hours in the shop rebuilding tractors or working on carpentry and fix-it projects at the behest of family and friends. He had an enormous garden and an equally large soft spot for all animals. Remi’s hobby was hard work; he strove to be of service and did so with a jovial heart. His faith, humour and practical efficiency are already missed by the large family he nurtured, but the mark of his love and laughter on our hearts will never fade.

Visitation will take place February 8th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm (prayers at 7pm) at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass for Remi will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Chatham on February 9, 2016 beginning with words of remembrance at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m.   Donations to the Chatham-Kent Hospice would be welcomed in lieu of flowers.

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