OFFICIAL OBITUARY FOR
Gerrit Heijnen
1935 - 2021
OBITUARY Print
CANAL FULTON – Gerrit Heijnen, age 85, passed away on March 28, 2021.
Born on May 7, 1935 in Bussum, Holland in the Netherlands to the late Jan and Johanna (Eikenaar) Heijnen, he was a resident of Canal Fulton since 2017, previously of the Doylestown / Wadsworth area. Gerrit utilized his knowledge of 5 languages while serving in submarine communications for the Dutch Navy before coming to the United States at age 23. He earned an accounting degree at the University of Akron and worked in the field with various companies throughout his career. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, boating and swimming and loved to be on the water. Gerrit was a simple and gentle man while showing others how to get the most out of life by the way he lived it. He will live in all of our hearts forever.
Preceded in death by his grandson, Dustin, and sister Alice Heijnen, he is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nola (Thomas) Heijnen; children from their blended families are: Doris (Randy) Kalstrom of Bath, OH, Wayne (Irene) Heijnen of Phoenix, AZ, Jodi (Mike) McKinley of Doylestown, OH, David Bragg of Asheville, NC, Johanna Costello of Hyannis Port, MA, Bill Bragg of Asheville, NC, Linda Lindley of Bloomington, IL, Ellie (Brian) Skidmore of Medina, OH, Jeff (Katrina) Bragg of Asheville, NC; 23 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild and brother, Justice (Aartje) Heijnen from the Netherlands.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials in honor of Gerrit may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association for the benefit of wife Nola Heijnen at alz.org. Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com
(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)
Donations
Alzheimer's Association
PO Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011
Web: http://www.alz.org
Plant a tree in memory of Gerrit by clicking here.
To send flowers to Gerrit's family, please visit our floral store.
Services
Family to do services at later date
Doylestown Location
132 N. Portage St., Doylestown, OH1-330-658-2211
Tribute Wall
1 tree planted in memory of Gerrit
Jim Henry
April 3, 2021 11:11 AMDeepest condolences to the Heijnen family, and many friends and relatives related to Gerrit. Growing up in West Akron ,recall fond memories of Gerrit taking time out Sat. afternoon to toss a football with Wayne and myself. He would always smile ,eyes gleamed when asked about those wooden shoes by front door, he was proud of his Dutch heritage, he brought back to share. I looked forward to those wkd .visits with wayne. I knew Gerrit would give us a toss!.. Greatly missed, but not Forgotten!...
robert and janet marshall
April 1, 2021 5:44 AMOur sympathy and prayers to the Heijnen family. Gerrit was a true gentleman. This world was a much better place with Gerrit who led by example.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Gerrit Heijnen
March 31, 2021 12:10 PM
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home
Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree