Joseph Alex VanCauwenbergh

Joseph A. VanCauwenbergh, 78, of Castalia passed away Monday, March 12, 2018 in the Firelands Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born October 16, 1939 in Sandusky and was a 1958 graduate of Margaretta High School. He was employed for 33 years at the Ford Motor Company, retiring in 1997. Joe’s lifelong hobby was providing fresh vegetables to the local community. He enjoyed every summer planting and preparing one of the best-looking gardens around. He loved to see the customer’s excitement when getting fresh vegetables from his roadside market.

He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church where he had served as an usher for more than thirty years. He was also a member of the Sandusky Eagles, American Legion, AMVETS, and the UAW Local 1216. Joe loved supporting his children and grandchildren and being a Margaretta Booster was one of the many ways he showed his love and support. Joe loved traveling to Florida in the winter months. He also enjoyed traveling to the Amish Country in the spring and fall months to watch the Amish families work their fields. He admired their hard work and often teased that we all should keep life simple like the Amish. In March of 2015, Joe along with his family visited Belgium to learn of the VanCauwenbergh family history for which he was very proud.

He is survived by one son, Brad (Kelly) VanCauwenbergh of Huron; one daughter, Amy (Chris) Leibacher of Castalia; six grandchildren, Jamie, Ryan, and Casey VanCauwenbergh all of Huron and Nick, Jake, and Kylie Leibacher all of Castalia; one brother-in-law, Barry (Sherri) Brunner; one sister-in-law, Sondra VanCauwenbergh; special family friends, Ray and Nancy Remy; and his very special companion, Nicole Cunningham, all of Castalia; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Beverly A. (Brunner) VanCauwenbergh who passed away in 1994; twins who passed away in infancy; parents, Alex and Delphine VanCauwenbergh; and three brothers, Gaston, Louis, and Frank VanCauwenbergh.

Friends may call Thursday, March 15, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 16, 2018 at 1:00 PM in the Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Fr. Joe Steinbauer will officiate. Burial will be held in Castalia Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Beverly VanCauwenbergh Scholarship Fund, 305 S. Washington Street, Castalia, Ohio 44824, or the Margaretta Boosters, P.O. Box 281, Castalia, Ohio 44824, or to Holy Angels Catholic Church.

Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.

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