Gerrit W. "Gary" deLeeuwerk, 89 of Walton, passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon in Binghamton General Hospital.

Gary was born in Barnevelt, Holland on October 7, 1918 the son of the late Jan Arie and Maria (Bouw) DeLeeuwerk. He moved to the United States when he was 3. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in the Luzon Campaign during World War II. He married the former Jeanette Vander Veen. She died in 1998. After the war he worked engraving watches. They lived in Rutherford, NJ for many years before retiring in 1981 when he and Jeanette moved to Downsville. Following Jeanette's passing he moved to Walton. Gary was known as a gentleman and kind soul wherever he went.

Gary is survived by 2 daughters, Jean (Robert) Bouw, Michigan, Betty de Leeuwerk, Virginia; 2 sons, Garry (Barbara) deLeeuwerk, North Haledon, NJ; Alan (Margaret) deLeeuwerk, Virginia; 9 grandchildren, Christine (Brian) Ellis, Mark Bouw, Kevin (Laura) Bouw, Jared deLeeuwerk, Jennifer (Jared) DiLorenzo, Eric deLeeuwerk, Jacob (Jessica) deLeeuwerk, Sarah (Amos) Kasperek, Benjamin deLeeuwerk; 5 great grandchildren, Nathan, Courtney, Brayden and Abigail Ellis, and Hannah Bouw, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gary was predeceased by 1 sister, Wilhemina LaMagna.

Friends and relatives are invited to call on Wednesday evening, October 17, 2007 from 6 to 8 PM at the Clark, Winter & Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend St., Walton, and from 10 to 11 AM on Thursday morning at the New Hope Community Church. Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning at 11 AM at the New Hope Community Church, Walton with the Rev. Larry Light and Rev. Jack Steele, officiating. Interment will follow in Paige Cemetery, Downsville with full military honors.

Memorial contributions in Gary's memory may be made to the New Hope Community Church, 45 Stockton Ave., Walton, NY 13856, or Walton EMS, or the Office of the Aging, .