John Arie VanLeeuwen

John Arie Van Leeuwen, 91 of Ontario, CA went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 23, 2021. John was born on February 2, 1930 in the town of Hazerswoude, the Netherlands to Jacob and Cornelia Van Leeuwen. He was the 8th in line of 11 children, with 6 sisters and 4 brothers. In the spring of 1948 John met Ietie Staal at a Pentecostal Reunion which took place in an old castle that was converted into a Christian School. Soon after, they began courting and on June 9, 1954 John and Ietie were married and started their first dairy in a village in La Belliole, France. In the Spring of 1961, John and Ietie immigrated to the United States where they continued the “dairy life” in Torrance, CA. In February, 1966, they purchased a dairy in Cerritos, CA followed by a move to Chino, CA in August 1970. John stayed in Chino for 34 years then moved the dairy to Newberry Springs, CA in 2004. Along the way they adopted four children, Jack, Gary, Martha and Alice “Ellie”. John loved his cows and the dairy life, and did not fully retire from the business until his 89th year.

John also enjoyed traveling and camping and belonged to the “Kids Over Age Club” where they went on many adventures with family and friends. Family and friends were important to John and he loved spending time with them whenever he could.

John had a deep faith, and his love for the Lord was evident in his life. He was a member of the First United Reformed Church of Chino for 50 plus years, serving many years as an Elder there. He was also involved with Salem Christian Home ministries, as well as the 3-Way Thrift Store.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ietie; his sons Jack Van Leeuwen and Gary Van Leeuwen of Barstow, daughters Martha (Garret Jr.) Bootsma of Newberry Springs, and Ellie (Robert) Begley of Upland. He was Opa to six grandchildren; Gary Van Leeuwen Jr., Taylor Begley, Sara Begley, Gerrit (Hannah) Bootsma, Jacob (Emily) Bootsma, and Symon Bootsma. He is also survived by his brother, Paul (Joan) Van Leeuwen, and many nephews, nieces and extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, April 27th, at United Reformed Church of Chino, located at 6191 Riverside Dr., Chino. Viewing will be at 9am on Tuesday, April 27th, at Stone Funeral Home in Upland.