After 82 years, David George VanderVeen completed his earthly labors on July 24, 2026.
George and Phyllis (nee Tedrow) VanderVeen welcomed David into the world on March 19, 1944. At a young age he began working on the family farm where he continued to work until weeks before his passing. The work of a young farmer gave him early experience fixing equipment and then modifying automobiles to suit him. He took that experience to the City of Alma where he served as a certified mechanic for over 28 years fixing everything from string trimmers to police cars, fire trucks, road graders and plow trucks.
He drove a snowplow during the huge storms of the 1970s, filled sandbags during the flood of 1986 and chipped brush after the May 1998 windstorm. On the scene of a major fires, Dave could be found fixing apparatus as such was the case when downtown Ithaca burned in February 1987. During winter storms he would snowmobile into town to repair frozen, snow packed plows to get them back on city streets.
When Dave married Elnora Sieting on June 19, 1976 the farm became the home of their new family. Dave continued farming as well as fixing cars and equipment for family and friends. Although he would rarely discuss it, Dave proudly served as a volunteer firefighter with the Alma Fire Department, a long time Deacon at the St. Louis Church of Christ and volunteer at Rock Lake Christian Assembly.
Remaining are his two sisters, Ruth and Frances, three children Robert (Carol) of Kentwood, Lisa (Andrew) of Mancelona, and James of Alma, as well as five grandchildren Samantha (Brendan), Noah, Braeden (Sarah), Abigail and Isaac.
Predeceasing David were his parents, wife Elnora and twin sisters Janet and Judy.
A celebration of life will take place at the Pine River Township Hall on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at noon. A short service will begin at noon followed by visitation with the family until 3pm. Memorial gifts may be made to Rock Lake Christian Assembly in Vestaburg, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
