Garrit H. Vander Veen, 87, of Kalamazoo passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016, in Kalamazoo. He was born Sept. 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 1980s, 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 Illinois, Rick (Cheryl) Vander Veen of Galesburg and Victoria (Scott) Williquette of Alamo Township; son-in-law John (Terry) Vander Ploeg of Kalamazoo; eight 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 two 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; one sister and two brothers.
Friends may meet with Garrit's family on Monday, April 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. A private family burial will be at Alamo Center Cemetery.
A memorial service will be Saturday, April 30, at 1 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 made by visiting www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
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