John Vander Veen
Life Story
John Vander Veen was a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes of his character. He was strong willed yet filled with an overwhelming love and sense of pride for his family. John understood the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. Family was always his first priority.
John entered the world in the middle of the "Roaring Twenties," a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on November 20, 1926, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John and Ada (Vande Woude) Vander Veen. John was the second youngest of nine children, though he was the youngest for six years before he became a big brother, something he didn't take to real fast. John led a typical childhood of the times and was always active in sports from a young age. When he was 12, his family moved to a farm in Schoolcraft, and John continued his education in the area schools as well as worked along side his family on the farm. Still, he did find time to participate in school sports in which he naturally excelled. John left school in the 12th grade to work full-time on the farm.
In 1968, John's life took a new direction when he was set up on a blind date with a beautiful young lady named Avadna Mae Berry. It wasn't long before the two fell in love, and after a two year courtship, were happily married on April 25, 1970. Mae brought more than her love into John's life; she had four children, all of whom John gladly welcomed into the family and loved like his own. John was working at the Upjohn Company and provided well for his family. He retired from Upjohn as a Chemical Operator after 35 years of service.
John was always a hard worker, but when it came to his leisure time, he had many hobbies to keep him busy. First, every day started with a good hot cup of coffee. Then, perhaps he worked in his yard and the garden, and when that was done, he loved to head to the water for a swim or take his boat out on Lake Michigan. Of course, John always found time to be active in sports; he golfed regularly and played on a basketball league for several years. John was also a big pro sports fan and follower of the Detroit Tigers and Lions.
In their retirement years, John and Mae did a lot of traveling. All their children had moved out west and they made frequent visits to New Mexico, Utah and Iowa to see them and dote on their precious grandchildren. The couple also spent many winters visiting family in sunny Florida, and went "up north" to the Torch Lake area for some relaxation and time together. Sadly, John lost his beloved wife Mae on August 19, 2001, after 31 years of marriage. In May of this year, John's health quickly began declining and he passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.
John will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his strength of mind and his unconditional love for his family. He will be greatly missed.
Besides his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Ada, siblings: Josephine, Thomas, Margaret (Harry) Bailey, Clarissa (Stanley) Earle, Janet Brown, Harold, and Donald (Betty).
A Interment will be at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax following the service.
John Vander Veen
Life Story
John Vander Veen was a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes of his character. He was strong willed yet filled with an overwhelming love and sense of pride for his family. John understood the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. Family was always his first priority.
John entered the world in the middle of the "Roaring Twenties," a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on November 20, 1926, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to John and Ada (Vande Woude) Vander Veen. John was the second youngest of nine children, though he was the youngest for six years before he became a big brother, something he didn't take to real fast. John led a typical childhood of the times and was always active in sports from a young age. When he was 12, his family moved to a farm in Schoolcraft, and John continued his education in the area schools as well as worked along side his family on the farm. Still, he did find time to participate in school sports in which he naturally excelled. John left school in the 12th grade to work full-time on the farm.
In 1968, John's life took a new direction when he was set up on a blind date with a beautiful young lady named Avadna Mae Berry. It wasn't long before the two fell in love, and after a two year courtship, were happily married on April 25, 1970. Mae brought more than her love into John's life; she had four children, all of whom John gladly welcomed into the family and loved like his own. John was working at the Upjohn Company and provided well for his family. He retired from Upjohn as a Chemical Operator after 35 years of service.
John was always a hard worker, but when it came to his leisure time, he had many hobbies to keep him busy. First, every day started with a good hot cup of coffee. Then, perhaps he worked in his yard and the garden, and when that was done, he loved to head to the water for a swim or take his boat out on Lake Michigan. Of course, John always found time to be active in sports; he golfed regularly and played on a basketball league for several years. John was also a big pro sports fan and follower of the Detroit Tigers and Lions.
In their retirement years, John and Mae did a lot of traveling. All their children had moved out west and they made frequent visits to New Mexico, Utah and Iowa to see them and dote on their precious grandchildren. The couple also spent many winters visiting family in sunny Florida, and went "up north" to the Torch Lake area for some relaxation and time together. Sadly, John lost his beloved wife Mae on August 19, 2001, after 31 years of marriage. In May of this year, John's health quickly began declining and he passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.
John will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his strength of mind and his unconditional love for his family. He will be greatly missed.
Besides his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Ada, siblings: Josephine, Thomas, Margaret (Harry) Bailey, Clarissa (Stanley) Earle, Janet Brown, Harold, and Donald (Betty).
A Interment will be at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Climax following the service.
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