Garrit
Garrit H. Vander Veen
Garrit passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Kalamazoo.
He was born September 20, 1928 at home in Alamo Township to Fred and Katrina (Nightingale) Vander Veen. Garrit was a graduate of Central High School in 1946. On June 25, 1948 at Twin Lakes Reformed Church he married Winona Smith. With Winona by his side Garrit had owned and operated Vander Veen Brothers and Suburban Tank Company from 1954 until his retirement in 2003. In the 1980’s they bought his in-law’s centennial farm which he enjoyed working for several years. Following his retirement they opened and ran a storage building business at the farm. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling and flying and had his own plane.
Surviving are their children, Cindy Vander Veen (Hall) Taylor of IL, Rick (Cheryl) Vander Veen of Galesburg and Victoria (Scott) Williquette of Alamo Township; son-in-law, John (Terry) Vander Ploeg of Kalamazoo; 8 grandchildren, Kelly (Andy) Brown, Garrit (Nicholl) Taylor, Alethia (Greg) Kenworthy, Scott Vander Ploeg, Laura Taylor, Catherine (Ayojide) Akinrinmade, Tom Vander Ploeg and Scott Matthew (Johanna) Williquette and 2 great-grandchildren, Cormac Taylor and Asa Akinrinmade.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Winona in 2014; daughter, Lani Vander Ploeg in 2006; 1 sister and 2 brothers.
Friends may meet with Garrit’s family from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
A private family burial will take place at Alamo Center Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Oak Grove Bible Church in Kalamazoo with Pastors David Ives and Scott Williquette officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Garrit may be made to Oak Grove Bible Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Garrit H. Vander Veen
Condolence Messages
Nick Cool
April 22, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Gary will be missed , the doors of heaven were flung open to admit Gary . I’m sorry for the family’s loss of this generous man , he would share his time or any piece of equipment with my family . Rest in peace good man .
Reply
Thomas and Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky
April 23, 2016 at 10:51 am
Dear Cindy and family,
I am so sorry to read about your father passing.
Please know I am sending thoughts and prayers.
May your many good memories bring you peace.
Reply
Cindy Vander Veen Taylor
April 29, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Thank you, Susan, for your kind words regarding my father. You and I go back a very long way and I thank you for responding to his passing. Have to say Pop had a full life and was perhaps ready to go rather than endure an extended exit from this life. We, the family, are at peace with this as it hurt us to see him suffer and decline. Thanks again for you message.
Reply
Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
April 25, 2016 at 6:52 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I knew your parents for many years. My family lived on the northern end of Owen Drive and that’s where I grew up. You probably don’t remember me, but I babysat for you kids a couple of times when you were quite small. May God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Gary.
Reply
Cindy Vander Veen Taylor
April 29, 2016 at 11:58 am
Of course I remember you, Sherry! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. God is our Comforter now and all times. Thanks again for your message.
Reply
Carl Barber
April 29, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Rick/Cheryl and Cindy – I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing….but passing to the Heavenly Father is the blessing of our assurance of salvation, a sure and marvelous thing for the believer. Rest in the thought of his being in the presence of the Almighty God. His memory is now your legacy as you honor him in life. I pray that you will have great memories.
Reply
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He was born September 20, 1928 at home in Alamo Township to Fred and Katrina (Nightingale) Vander Veen. Garrit was a graduate of Central High School in 1946. On June 25, 1948 at Twin Lakes Reformed Church he married Winona Smith. With Winona by his side Garrit had owned and operated Vander Veen Brothers and Suburban Tank Company from 1954 until his retirement in 2003. In the 1980’s they bought his in-law’s centennial farm which he enjoyed working for several years. Following his retirement they opened and ran a storage building business at the farm. In his spare time he enjoyed traveling and flying and had his own plane.
Surviving are their children, Cindy Vander Veen (Hall) Taylor of IL, Rick (Cheryl) Vander Veen of Galesburg and Victoria (Scott) Williquette of Alamo Township; son-in-law, John (Terry) Vander Ploeg of Kalamazoo; 8 grandchildren, Kelly (Andy) Brown, Garrit (Nicholl) Taylor, Alethia (Greg) Kenworthy, Scott Vander Ploeg, Laura Taylor, Catherine (Ayojide) Akinrinmade, Tom Vander Ploeg and Scott Matthew (Johanna) Williquette and 2 great-grandchildren, Cormac Taylor and Asa Akinrinmade.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Winona in 2014; daughter, Lani Vander Ploeg in 2006; 1 sister and 2 brothers.
Friends may meet with Garrit’s family from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego.
A private family burial will take place at Alamo Center Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at Oak Grove Bible Church in Kalamazoo with Pastors David Ives and Scott Williquette officiating.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Garrit may be made to Oak Grove Bible Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Garrit H. Vander Veen
Condolence Messages
Nick Cool
April 22, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Gary will be missed , the doors of heaven were flung open to admit Gary . I’m sorry for the family’s loss of this generous man , he would share his time or any piece of equipment with my family . Rest in peace good man .
Reply
Thomas and Susan (Jerrett) Sawasky
April 23, 2016 at 10:51 am
Dear Cindy and family,
I am so sorry to read about your father passing.
Please know I am sending thoughts and prayers.
May your many good memories bring you peace.
Reply
Cindy Vander Veen Taylor
April 29, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Thank you, Susan, for your kind words regarding my father. You and I go back a very long way and I thank you for responding to his passing. Have to say Pop had a full life and was perhaps ready to go rather than endure an extended exit from this life. We, the family, are at peace with this as it hurt us to see him suffer and decline. Thanks again for you message.
Reply
Sherry (Meacham) Hurlbut
April 25, 2016 at 6:52 pm
I was so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I knew your parents for many years. My family lived on the northern end of Owen Drive and that’s where I grew up. You probably don’t remember me, but I babysat for you kids a couple of times when you were quite small. May God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Gary.
Reply
Cindy Vander Veen Taylor
April 29, 2016 at 11:58 am
Of course I remember you, Sherry! Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. God is our Comforter now and all times. Thanks again for your message.
Reply
Carl Barber
April 29, 2016 at 7:40 pm
Rick/Cheryl and Cindy – I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing….but passing to the Heavenly Father is the blessing of our assurance of salvation, a sure and marvelous thing for the believer. Rest in the thought of his being in the presence of the Almighty God. His memory is now your legacy as you honor him in life. I pray that you will have great memories.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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