Cover photo for Danny J. Vanlent's Obituary
Danny J. Vanlent Profile Photo
Danny

Danny J. Vanlent

Dan passed away Friday, November 13, 2020 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born December 12, 1951 the son of James and Shirley (Nichols) VanLent. Dan was a graduate of Plainwell High School and lifelong resident of the area. He served his country in the U.S. Army. Dan had worked as a police officer for the City of Plainwell and then for Consumers Energy in Kalamazoo until his retirement in 2017. He also worked at Harold Ziegler in Plainwell and security at the Allegan County Fair.

Dan was the ultimate Disney fan and visited Disney World over 40 times. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was a lifetime member of the Gilmore Car Museum.

Surviving are his sons, Nick (Michelle) VanLent of Kalamazoo, Bryan VanLent of Lawrence and Andy (Wren) VanLent of Mattawan; 6 grandchildren, Brianna, Addison, Bryce, Luke, Saralyn and Owen; mother, Shirley of Kalamazoo and brother, Jim (Terry) VanLent of Plainwell.

He was preceded in death by his father James in 2014.

Friends may visit with Dan’s family from 5-7 P.M., Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. In accordance with covid -19 guidelines a limit of 50 people at a time will be followed along with masks and social distancing.

A private family funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

View the service at 11:00 A.M.  by clicking this link

https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1102204

Cremation will follow.

Contributions in memory of Dan may be made to

Christian Neighbors.

Messages of condolence may be posted at

www.WinkelFuneralHome.com

.

Offer Condolence for the family of Danny J. VanLent

Condolence Messages

Kim Dorothy Blagg

November 14, 2020 at 3:49 pm

I had quite a few spirited exchanges with Dan on social media and found him to be a true patriot and a man who wasn’t afraid to speak up. Those are admirable qualities. My sincerest condolences to the VanLent family.

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Judith STRUBLE

November 14, 2020 at 7:55 pm

Many fond memories coming in early at Consumers and laughing at the craziness. Working storms late into the night. The monkey who visited the radio room resulting in mass hysteria. Rest in piece

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Cindi Keith Hammond

November 14, 2020 at 8:43 pm

So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. He was a good friend in high school and turned out to be a great man. He will surely be missed by all. Will keep your family in our prayers.

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Pam jarman

November 14, 2020 at 8:57 pm

Andy I am so very sorry for your loss prayers are with you and your family ..

Pam Jarman, Jackson

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Colby and Josh Knobloch

November 14, 2020 at 9:25 pm

Marlene, Nick, Michelle, Bryan and Andy, We are so sorry for your loss. Dan was great man who always could make us smile every time we saw him! We are thinking of you all! Sending hugs!

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Todd Allen

November 14, 2020 at 9:47 pm

Danny was an awesome guy always stopped by the Draft Horse barn to see us in Allegan during the fair although we know the rest of the older Clan as we all grew up at Plainwell Baptist. He will be greatly missed

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John Wilson

November 15, 2020 at 7:28 am

I worked with Dan as a Police Officer and security at both the Allegan County Fair and Bittersweet Ski Area. He always maintained an admirable level of professionalism but still managed to keep his sense of humor intact, which made working with him fun. He will be missed!

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Steve & Becky Swope

November 15, 2020 at 7:37 am

We’re so sorry to hear about Dan’s passing. Appreciated his good sense of humor and his friendliness. Now he’s face to face with his Savior. We look forward to seeing him again.

“Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this?””

‭‭John‬ ‭11:25-26

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Donna Colegrove

November 15, 2020 at 8:49 am

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.

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Paul & Jen Schaap

November 15, 2020 at 11:04 am

Andy and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad.

Paul enjoyed serving alongside Dan for many years at church, and our family always looked forward to his smiles and hugs on Sunday mornings. He always seemed so happy!

Our hearts are heavy at the huge hole that his loss will leave.

We are thankful that he knew the Lord, and we are lifting you all up in prayer.

With love,

Paul, Jen, Tommy & Lizzie Schaap

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David Boulter

November 15, 2020 at 12:55 pm

To the Van Lent family: I am really sorry for your loss. Dan was one of the good ones.

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Nancy Green

November 16, 2020 at 9:13 am

I’m so very sorry. I went to school with Dan. He was always had a good heart.

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Lynne Livingston

November 16, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Oh my! So, so sorry to hear this! Prayers for his family!

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Lynne Cook

November 16, 2020 at 5:14 pm

So sorry to hear of Dan’s passing. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

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Sheryl Pion

November 16, 2020 at 8:04 pm

So sorry for your loss. Dan was one of our neighbors and he always had a smile and wave for us.

The Pion Family

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Jackie Taylor

November 16, 2020 at 10:47 pm

Dan was a sweet man. Worked security at the fair with him several years. So much fun to work with. Prayers for his family.

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Jennifer Grace

November 17, 2020 at 9:50 am

We were so saddened by the news of Danny’s passing. He was one of my Mom’s favorite coworkers and Dave and I thought the world of him.

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deb tate

November 17, 2020 at 11:10 am

sorry for loss. i am one of his cousin

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Allan Curtis Holden

November 17, 2020 at 11:24 am

If God handed me an order form, and asked me to select from dozens of features, all the very items I would desire in a playmate, and life-long friend, Dan would have filled that order perfectly. And that, he certainly did!

Thanks to Godly Parents, who pointed out “the way of Life,” and to a gracious Savior, our friendship shall continue far beyond the grave . . . all Praise and Thanksgiving be to our Lord Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life . Thanks for being You, Dan!

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Debbie Eakins

November 17, 2020 at 4:54 pm

Nick, Bryan, Andy, Marlene and family

I worked with Danny for 35 years. He scared me at first then I figured out he was just a teddy bear underneath. He helped me so much thru the years. He encouraged me to move to Otsego and helped me so many times with my daughter Missy and my family. This has truly impacted me. I still can’t believe it. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We are in Florida but there in our hearts. There will only be one Danny VanLent. So blessed we were friends. ❤️ He truly loved his boys and grandchildren.

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D K Doubblestein

November 17, 2020 at 6:13 pm

So young and so talented. He will be missed by me and a lot of others

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Tim and Judy Gates Hayes

November 17, 2020 at 8:29 pm

Shirley, Jim, Terry, Nick, Andy , Bryan and your families, and Marlene.

It’s hard to believe that I won’t run into Dan anymore until we meet in heaven. You all were his world. Keep his memories close to your heart and he will be with you always. I will miss his humor. Praying for all of you. Love, Tim and Judy Gates Hayes

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Susan Evans

November 17, 2020 at 10:03 pm

So very sad to hear of Danny passing. I worked with him at Consumers and had many laughs with him through the years.

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Joe and Robert Leigeb

November 18, 2020 at 9:26 am

Andy and Bryan, we are so sorry for your loss. Dan was a great guy, and it shows in his children. You guys are in our prayers.

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Carl and Judy Petersen

November 18, 2020 at 12:02 pm

Were are sorry for your lost, Judy and I just learned on FB of his passing. We will keep you all in our prayers, The Lord has called another Hero home so he will be missed.

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Jo golden

November 18, 2020 at 4:06 pm

Jam and Terry and family I am so sorry for your loss may God be with you all love Jo

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SHIRLEY MCGHEE

November 19, 2020 at 1:59 pm

PLEASE KNOW MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYER ARE WITH THE VANLENT FAMILY. I WORKED WITH DANNY AT CONSUMERS ENERGY AND HAVE FUNNY AND FOND MEMORIES. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY-SHIRLEY MCGHEE

Reply

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