George VanderLeest

George V. VanderLeest, age 93, of Hudsonville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 11, 2025. He was born on September 5, 1931, to the late Joseph and Tressie VanderLeest. George was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia VanderLeest; grandson, Randy Tinkham; granddaughter, Tara; great-granddaughter, Isabella; and brother, Don VanderLeest. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Geraldine “Cookie” VanderLeest; children, Duncan VanderLeest, George A. VanderLeest, Linda (Jim) Williams, Pamela (Warren) Aten, Mike (Beth) Bruins; son-in-law, John Warner; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren (with the 17th great-grandchild on the way); sisters, Patsy Hren, Darlene Bigcraft; and brother, Leon (Sandy) VanderLeest. Sadly, his daughter, Deborah Warner, passed away just a few hours after George passed. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Oriskany as a boiler tender. After his service, he worked briefly in logging and as a truck driver before becoming a millwright for many years, retiring from UAW Local #113. George had a passion for camping, traveling, building trailers, and engaging in mission work with the SOWER Ministry, traveling to various campgrounds. In retirement, he collected scrap metal at church to raise money for missions. He was known as the "Smartie Candyman" for passing out Smarties to children at church, which grew to  him passing out smarties to others along the way. George truly loved serving the Lord and always sought to help others. His family, especially his grandchildren, brought him a significant amount of joy and pride. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, at Lighthouse Community Church, 7624 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, with Rev. Doug Potgeter and Rev. Steve Demers officiating. The burial will be held at Blendon Township Cemetery with military honors. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Monday, July 21, from 3-7 p.m. at the church and on Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Lighthouse Community Church or Corewell Health Hospice.