Messages of love for Vryheid biker, Deon Frederik Stander (June 23, 1980 – April 8, 2018)
The magnificent roar of motorcycle engines as fellow bikers rolled into the NG Wes Kerk grounds, paying their last respects to a fallen comrade in the age old biker tradition.
THERE is an old biker saying that goes, “Four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul…”
The soul of a local motorcycle enthusiast, a father, a son, a brother and a husband, was laid to rest last week as friends, family and fellow bikers came together to mourn his passing and commemorate the life and passion of Deon Stander, who was tragically killed in a fateful collision on April 8.
Recently, the sound of ringing church bells was accompanied by the magnificent roar of motorcycle engines as fellow bikers rolled into the NG Wes Kerk grounds, paying their last respects to a fallen comrade in the age old biker tradition.
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As the symbolic sound of revving engines dwindled along with the church bells, Deon’s loved ones gathered in the church for the sermon in Deon’s memory.
That evening, another gathering took place in memory of Deon, at the Vryheid Ski Boat Club, where friends, family and colleagues took the time to share their memories of Deon with each other, after a fitting tribute by Pastor John McKenzie, who has been pivotal in counselling the family through their grief.
In reference to Psalm 23, in the acclaimed words of King David, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me…” Pastor John reiterated the significance of the word ‘through’ in this scripture, offering comfort to the family that God will bring them through this difficult time.
Deon’s sister, Sandra Pieters, writes, “My liefste broer, Deon, ek mis jou elke oomblik van die dag. Jy is so skielik van ons af weggeneem sonder dat ons kon groet. Jou plekkie is leeg en ek gaan ons lang oproepe baie mis. Jou groot glimlag, jou grappies, en, en, en… Ek weet jy is op ‘n beter plek, sonder enige hartseer. Jy en Boetie is nou bymekaar en dit maak my hart beter voel. Jy was my ou ‘Brat’… vir ewig in my hart. Baie liefde, Arwa.”
“My geliefde broer,” writes Deon’s brother, Gerhard. “Baie dankie vir al die jare wat jy geleen was by die Here vir ons. Mag jy rus in vrede daar waar jy nou is. Ons gaan jou baie mis. Met liefde van ‘Barbie’ en Keena.”
Deon’s grieving mother, Sandra Stander, added, “Ons gaan jou baie mis, my kind, veral jou smile en jou liefde vir almal rondom jou. Rus sag, my kind, tot ons mekaar weeer sien…”
“Rus sag, my broer,” writes Adriaan Stander. “Dit is nie ‘vaarwel’ nie, net ‘totsiens’ vir nou, tot ons mekaar weer sien. Liefde, Adriaan, Monica en Boeta…”
“We would just like to thank each and everyone for their love, support and help through this difficult time. There are so many of you to thank and we’d hate to miss anyone. Thank you all, from the Stander family.”
