Antoni "Tony" J. Van Leiden

Antoni J. “Tony” Van Leiden was born on Monday, August 21, 1922, in Almelo, Netherlands. He was the son of Harm and Sophia (Spenkelink) Van Leiden. Tony lived in Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas, since 1948 where he made his home until his death on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at the age of eighty-nine years. He graduated high school and college in the Netherlands. Tony was a long time Assistant Manager at several Ottawa Grocery Stores from the early 1960’s to the late 2000’s including; Cheney’s Market, Pence’s IGA, Ray’s IGA, Waymire’s Grocery and Country Mart all of Ottawa. Prior to the grocery business, Tony was a Fabric Cutter at Mode-O-Day in the 1950’s. Tony was a member, former Deacon and Usher at First Baptist Church, Ottawa. He was also a member of the Ottawa Sertoma Club and the Ottawa Kiwanis Club. Tony was instrumental in developing the Ottawa University Soccer Program. He was a former Assistant Coach in the 1960’s and Head Coach in the 1970’s and later volunteered many years after coaching. He will be inducted into the Ottawa University Athletic Hall of Fame in October. Many of Tony’s favorite activities included spending time with his family and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, stamp collecting and reading. On October 8, 1950 Tony was united in marriage with Billie Jean Brown in Ottawa, Kansas. They enjoyed nearly 62 years together as husband and wife. She survives of their home. Tony is also survived by son, Rick Van Leiden of Lawrence, Kansas; son, Tim Van Leiden and wife, Melissa of Ottawa, Kansas; grandson, Dustin Van Leiden who is currently on deployment with the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan and his wife Cathleen of Jacksonville, North Carolina; great-granddaughter, Emily Van Leiden of Ottawa, Kansas; nephew, Fred Brown of Branson, Missouri; niece, Jan McCarson and husband O. M. of Arlington, Texas and niece, Jill Reimer and husband Don of Spring, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jan Van Leiden. SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2012. IN STATE: Mr. Van Leiden will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2012, where family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa University Soccer c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.