James
James E. Vanlent
James VanLent of Alamo Township passed away Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Mr. VanLent was born August 5, 1932 in Otsego, the son of Eldon and Marie (Brown) VanLent. For more than 31 years Jim was a police officer and fireman for the city of Plainwell. He was a member of the 12
th
Street Baptist Church and in his spare time enjoyed golfing. In 1950 he married Shirley Nichols in Indiana.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley; his sons, Jim (Terry) VanLent of Plainwell and Dan VanLent of Otsego; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his sisters, Sandra (Ron) MacVean of Martin and Sharon VanLent of Plainwell; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Eldon.
Friends may meet with Jim’s family Monday, October 6, 2014 from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. Cremation will follow. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the 12
th
Street Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Pastor Thad Stout officiating. Due to construction, please take 11
th
St. south to ON Avenue, then north onto 12
th
Street.
Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the
12
th
Street Baptist Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of James E. VanLent
Condolence Messages
Lynn Anderson
October 3, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Shirley you and your family are in my prayers. Jim left a great legacy behind for us to remember. He is with our Heavenly Father and someday we will all join him there. May GOD bless you every day until then. Lovingly yours, Lynn Anderson
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
October 3, 2014 at 4:49 pm
To Shirley and Family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We were so sorry to hear today that you lost Jim last night. We are so very sorry for your loss and are extending our most sincere sympathy to you and your family. May your special memories and support from your family and friends give you strength in the coming days, months, and years. Take care now.
Reply
Bill & Karen Bomar
October 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Shirley, our condolences to you and your family. Bill enjoyed the many years working with Jim and said he will always remember him as the best at shaking the doorknobs.
Reply
Desiree Sigler
October 4, 2014 at 7:50 am
May the peace God gives sustain your family during this difficult time.Lean on one another as the days ahead become to hard to bear alone.Share your memories they will be a source of joy. Seeing the promises in God’s word the bible will help you to gain strength and fortify your hearts, granting you peace. (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17)
Reply
Dawn Nichols Forney.Lottie Koster
October 4, 2014 at 9:01 am
Prayers to you and your family at this time. .May God Bless you and your family
Reply
Jim and Patti (Khodl) Hewitt
October 4, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Sorry to read of Jim’s passing. Where do the years go? As a Plainwell girl I remember Jim when working at Pipp Community Hospital. Always friendly and ready to chat.
Reply
kathy and tami campbell
October 5, 2014 at 8:23 am
We have so many fond memories prayers for you Shirley during this time of sorrow.
Reply
Jim HIggs
October 5, 2014 at 8:34 am
Shirley, Jim, and Dan…
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Many great memories of him from days on Cedar St., to City Council, and with the P.D. He was a good man.
Reply
Lisa Sutton
October 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have many fond memories of him when he was a police officer in Plainwell. May he rest in peace.
Reply
Jerry Petill
October 6, 2014 at 9:09 am
My deepest condolences to the Vanlent family. I had the privilege of working with Jim at Plainwell PD before his retirement. Rest in peace.
Reply
john and pam oisten
October 7, 2014 at 12:02 am
jim will be missed he always had kind word when I seen him seting in wescos parking lot watching for speaders he was a very hepful person he got along with everybody and I will miss him to the greatest police and fire man I have ever met hes with god on special assignment just for him now
Reply
Mike and Colleen Yonge
October 7, 2014 at 11:23 am
Jim will be greatly missed. We are thankful for the positive impact he had for many decades in our lives. We are praying for you and your family. His fifty years of serving Christ are being rewarded in heaven and continue ro be blessed memories to is that are left behind. May the Lord give you His peace through these times.
Reply
Lori Snyder-Steele
October 7, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Shirley, and family sorry to hear of your loss. Jim will be missed.
Reply
Debbi Predum
October 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm
I only spoke with Jim a couple times at the Chenery for concerts and I’m thankful that our lives crossed paths. Shirley, you and your family are in my prayers and I know many are praying for you here at FBC Plainwell.
Reply
Terri Shaler
October 7, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Dear Shirley,
Just now (late Tuesday night) I read of Jim’s passing. I am so very sorry. I’m sorry I missed his memorial service. He was such a wonderful & sweet man. Praise God he now is with Jesus and waits for his bride – in God’s time.
You and your family will remain in my prayers and thoughts.
Reply
Ray Fuller
October 13, 2014 at 11:13 am
What a shock to me to find out after the service that Jim had passed. My deepest condolences to you Shirley and family. I enjoyed working with Jim on the PPD, a great person to be around. Always helpful and friendly to all. I only wished I knew where you lived, since I only live close by I would have liked to stay in touch with Jim.
Jim is in a much better place now. Rest in peace Jim.
Ray Fuller
Reply
Karen Koehn
October 13, 2014 at 4:01 pm
My prayers are with you and the family Shirley. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim when working in the same building for those 31 years .He was a special person and will be missed by everyone who knew him. God Bless you all.
Reply
Anne Flegal Kirby
April 22, 2022 at 4:42 pm
I knew that Jim died, but it was well after the fact. I understand your loss. Jim was always ready to listen and support me as I went through my divorce in ‘88 as the saga unfolded. I think of him so often. He was a calm and supportive friend. I belatedly offer my condolences.
Reply
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Mr. VanLent was born August 5, 1932 in Otsego, the son of Eldon and Marie (Brown) VanLent. For more than 31 years Jim was a police officer and fireman for the city of Plainwell. He was a member of the 12
th
Street Baptist Church and in his spare time enjoyed golfing. In 1950 he married Shirley Nichols in Indiana.
Surviving are his wife, Shirley; his sons, Jim (Terry) VanLent of Plainwell and Dan VanLent of Otsego; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his sisters, Sandra (Ron) MacVean of Martin and Sharon VanLent of Plainwell; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Eldon.
Friends may meet with Jim’s family Monday, October 6, 2014 from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. Cremation will follow. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the 12
th
Street Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Pastor Thad Stout officiating. Due to construction, please take 11
th
St. south to ON Avenue, then north onto 12
th
Street.
Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the
12
th
Street Baptist Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of James E. VanLent
Condolence Messages
Lynn Anderson
October 3, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Shirley you and your family are in my prayers. Jim left a great legacy behind for us to remember. He is with our Heavenly Father and someday we will all join him there. May GOD bless you every day until then. Lovingly yours, Lynn Anderson
Reply
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
October 3, 2014 at 4:49 pm
To Shirley and Family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We were so sorry to hear today that you lost Jim last night. We are so very sorry for your loss and are extending our most sincere sympathy to you and your family. May your special memories and support from your family and friends give you strength in the coming days, months, and years. Take care now.
Reply
Bill & Karen Bomar
October 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Shirley, our condolences to you and your family. Bill enjoyed the many years working with Jim and said he will always remember him as the best at shaking the doorknobs.
Reply
Desiree Sigler
October 4, 2014 at 7:50 am
May the peace God gives sustain your family during this difficult time.Lean on one another as the days ahead become to hard to bear alone.Share your memories they will be a source of joy. Seeing the promises in God’s word the bible will help you to gain strength and fortify your hearts, granting you peace. (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17)
Reply
Dawn Nichols Forney.Lottie Koster
October 4, 2014 at 9:01 am
Prayers to you and your family at this time. .May God Bless you and your family
Reply
Jim and Patti (Khodl) Hewitt
October 4, 2014 at 8:17 pm
Sorry to read of Jim’s passing. Where do the years go? As a Plainwell girl I remember Jim when working at Pipp Community Hospital. Always friendly and ready to chat.
Reply
kathy and tami campbell
October 5, 2014 at 8:23 am
We have so many fond memories prayers for you Shirley during this time of sorrow.
Reply
Jim HIggs
October 5, 2014 at 8:34 am
Shirley, Jim, and Dan…
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Many great memories of him from days on Cedar St., to City Council, and with the P.D. He was a good man.
Reply
Lisa Sutton
October 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have many fond memories of him when he was a police officer in Plainwell. May he rest in peace.
Reply
Jerry Petill
October 6, 2014 at 9:09 am
My deepest condolences to the Vanlent family. I had the privilege of working with Jim at Plainwell PD before his retirement. Rest in peace.
Reply
john and pam oisten
October 7, 2014 at 12:02 am
jim will be missed he always had kind word when I seen him seting in wescos parking lot watching for speaders he was a very hepful person he got along with everybody and I will miss him to the greatest police and fire man I have ever met hes with god on special assignment just for him now
Reply
Mike and Colleen Yonge
October 7, 2014 at 11:23 am
Jim will be greatly missed. We are thankful for the positive impact he had for many decades in our lives. We are praying for you and your family. His fifty years of serving Christ are being rewarded in heaven and continue ro be blessed memories to is that are left behind. May the Lord give you His peace through these times.
Reply
Lori Snyder-Steele
October 7, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Shirley, and family sorry to hear of your loss. Jim will be missed.
Reply
Debbi Predum
October 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm
I only spoke with Jim a couple times at the Chenery for concerts and I’m thankful that our lives crossed paths. Shirley, you and your family are in my prayers and I know many are praying for you here at FBC Plainwell.
Reply
Terri Shaler
October 7, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Dear Shirley,
Just now (late Tuesday night) I read of Jim’s passing. I am so very sorry. I’m sorry I missed his memorial service. He was such a wonderful & sweet man. Praise God he now is with Jesus and waits for his bride – in God’s time.
You and your family will remain in my prayers and thoughts.
Reply
Ray Fuller
October 13, 2014 at 11:13 am
What a shock to me to find out after the service that Jim had passed. My deepest condolences to you Shirley and family. I enjoyed working with Jim on the PPD, a great person to be around. Always helpful and friendly to all. I only wished I knew where you lived, since I only live close by I would have liked to stay in touch with Jim.
Jim is in a much better place now. Rest in peace Jim.
Ray Fuller
Reply
Karen Koehn
October 13, 2014 at 4:01 pm
My prayers are with you and the family Shirley. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim when working in the same building for those 31 years .He was a special person and will be missed by everyone who knew him. God Bless you all.
Reply
Anne Flegal Kirby
April 22, 2022 at 4:42 pm
I knew that Jim died, but it was well after the fact. I understand your loss. Jim was always ready to listen and support me as I went through my divorce in ‘88 as the saga unfolded. I think of him so often. He was a calm and supportive friend. I belatedly offer my condolences.
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:
Search Obituaries
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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