Mr. Bert Gielen, a resident of Wallaceburg, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Bluewater Health, Sarnia at the age of 80. Bert was born in Holland and was a son of the late Cornelius and Johanna (Timmermans) Gielen. Beloved husband of Marlene (Lindsay) Gielen. Loving father and father-in-law of Gary (Marie) Gielen, Joan Gielen, Patty (Gary) Johnston, Perry “Peken” Gielen, Tim (Rose-Marie Yazbeck) Gielen, Tammy (Steve) Morgan, Randy (Nancy) Bechard, Kellie (Tom) Burrows, Kari (Bob) Borthwick, Darlene (Ian) Findlater. Sadly missed by 24 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Kind brother and brother-in-law of Trudy Verbeek, Ann Jans, Gerda (Gordon) Baillargeon, Annie Gielen, Case (Mary Lynn) Gielen, Fred and Judy Lindsay and Wendy and Mike Thomson.
Predeceased by his son Bryan in 1987, his sister Mary Jans, his brother Pieter Gielen and his brothers-in-law Martin Jans, Martin Verbeeke and Joe Jans.
Also survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Bert was always a very conscientious worker. He started with A & B Dredging, switching over to Garn Cameron Motors until it changed ownership in1971 to become Chatham Coach Lines. He was the Manger, Dispatcher and Mechanic of the Wallaceburg division of Chatham Coach lines until his retirement in June of 2000. As a member of the Trinity United Church, Wallaceburg, and chair of the Property Committee for the church he was always one of the first to act on the task at hand. He also was a member and volunteer with the Wallaceburg Adult Activity Centre. If anyone needed a hand with anything he was always there to help. He loved to build things and when he did it would take anyone who dared days to dismantle. His love of farming remained with him his whole life and in his retirement he enjoyed working for several local farmers during the tomato season – planting and harvesting. He was a strong man and very gentle, loved by all who knew him. Following Bert’s request, cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26, 2015 from 7-9 p.m. at the Eric F. Nicholls Funeral Home Ltd. 639 Elgin St., Wallaceburg and Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Trinity Untied Church, in Wallaceburg, with the Memorial Service immediately following visitation at 11 a.m.
As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Trinity United Church, the Alzheimers Society or the Diabetes Association may be left at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.ericfnichollsfuneralhome.com.
As a living memorial, a tree will be planted in Nicholls Memorial Forest in memory of Bert Gielen
