SLUYTER, Leon Wayne

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona, Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Leon Wayne Sluyter, 71 of Beulah, Mich. died Thursday, April 24, 2014, at his his home. He was born Jan. 6, 1943, in Elberta, the son of Lewis and Olga (Gunderson) Sluyter. Leon graduated in 1963 in Payson, Ariz. Leon was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. He served his country honorably and faithfully. After service he attended Maranatha Baptist Church and he worked at Valley National Bank in Payson, Ariz. and in Globe as Assistant manager until 1974, when he moved back to Michigan. Leon was currently the Vice president of the Alden State bank in Elk Rapids. He was also a preacher at Maple City Community Church, a Gideon, and a Lion. He was a member of Son Life Wesleyan Church In Beulah. In his spare time, Leon enjoyed carpentry work, and worked on numerous church construction projects. He will be remembered as a kind and giving man with a deep and unwavering love of his family and, most of all, of his God. He lived to serve his fellow man and the Lord, and he will be missed by all who knew him. Thirty-one years ago, in Kaleva, Leon married Patricia Mae Soderquist, who survives him. He is also survived by his daughter, Lise (Gregg) Hoppe of Cadillac; his grandchildren, Gerritt and Miles Hoppe of Cadillac; eight siblings, Linda, Larry, Lorene, Lonny of Globe, LuVon, Lorron, LaVaughn of Globe, and Lonnette; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Leon was preceeded in death by his parents. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Eden Bible Church, in Beulah, with the Reverend Ken Blair and pastor Richard Bartlett officiating. Interment will take place in the Homestead Township Cemetary, where military honors will take place under the auspices of the Cherryland VFW Post #2780 and the US Army. Visitation was held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2014, at the Bennett-Barz Funeral Home in Beulah. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International.