James Henry Van Der Laar

James Henry Van Der Laar, age 53, died Saturday morning, June 14 at his home in rural Helena. He was born in Medina, Ohio on September 22, 1954 to John and the now deceased Henrika (Rykers) Van Der Laar. He graduated from Gibsonburg High School in 1973. On May 23, 1981 he married Jeanine Faist and she survives.

Jim was employed as a GM ASE certified master technician at Al Baumann Chevrolet-Buick, Fremont for 24 years. He was a national finalist in 95,96 &98 for the Buick Expert Technical Troubleshooting Contest and was the National Champion in 1997. Jim was also a Performance Challenge National Finalist in 1988, and was a GM world class technician in 2006 & 2007.

In addition to his technician achievements, he was a board member for Heartbeat of Fremont for over 10 years. He was a troop committee member for Boy Scout Troop 339 and won the Eagle Bay District Appreciation Award.

Jim was an active member of St. Marys Catholic Church, Millersville. In the church he was lector, a high school CCD teacher, and a past parish council member. He also loved to garden as a hobby.

Along with his wife and father, Jim is survived by his children Auriel, Hank, Billy, Michael, and Quinton, all of Helena; stepmother, Nancy; sisters Josie (Denny) Setzler and Mary Jo (Dan) Wagner of Fremont, Betty (Poke) Harrison of Grand Rapids, Ohio; brothers John (Kelly) Van Der Laar of Helena, and David Van Der Laar of Clyde.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:30am at St. Marys Church, Millersville. Visitation will be Monday from 2-8:00pm at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Gibsonburg.

Memorials may be made to St. Marys Catholic Church, Heartbeat of Fremont or to the children care of Jeanine.