Leon J. Vander-Heyden's Obituary
Leon J. Vander-Heyden was born on Tuesday November 17, 1931 in Milford, New Hampshire. He peacefully left this world on Saturday, October 14, 2023 with his wife Laura and other family members at his side at the Tucson Veterans Hospital due to complications of Congestive Heart Failure.
Leon was the fifth of eight children (four girls and four boys of which he was the first boy) born to Donalda and Louis Vander-Heyden. The family owned a small store and learned the value of a hard days work and quality family time. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War from December 6, 1951 to December 1, 1955 and earned the rank of Airman 1st Class.
While serving in the Air Force he married the Love of his Life Laura Poisson on July 17, 1954 on Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Az. Together they raised four boys of their own moving back and forth from Arizona to New Hampshire from the mid 50’s to the late 60’s. They settled in Tucson, Az in August of 1968.
During their time in Tucson he worked as a custom cabinet maker owning his own business for many years. He later worked for IBM and then for the State of Arizona Motor Vehicle Department. After raising their four boys Leon and Laura relocated to Sierra Vista, AZ in 1981 where they lived until early 2020 when they moved back to Tucson to be closer to their children.
Leon is survived by his Loving wife Laura and their children Steven and Gerald along with 9 grandchildren and too many to count great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and seven siblings along with two of his sons Roger and Don.
Funeral services will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo Tucson, Az. 85715 on Friday October 27, 2023 at 1pm. Services will be preceded by a rosary starting at 12:30pm at the church. Following the church services a graveside service with military honor guard will be held at Evergreen Cemetery located at 3015 N. Oracle Rd Tucson, Az. 85705 beginning at approx. 3pm. There will also be a live video feed provided for the church services for those that are unable to attend in person
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