Vernon Percy VandePol

Vernon (Vern) VandePol passed away January 14, 2019, at Curry House in Cadillac at the age of 91.

He was born September 16, 1927, in Riverside Township, Missaukee County, to Abel  and Winnie (Koster) VandePol.  He graduated from McBain High School in 1945 as class salutatorian. Vern married Angie Boven on May 14, 1948, at Prosper Christian Reformed Church. They lived on their farm east of McBain for almost their entire married life.

Vern started his working career as a farmer and night-shift factory worker at B. F. Goodrich in Cadillac until 1956. He eventually came to the conclusion that factory work was not for him and enrolled at Michigan State University, graduating in 1960 with a B.S. degree in agriculture education. During this time, Angie helped support the family by running a beauty shop out of their home.

After getting his college degree, Vern taught agriculture at Lake City High School from 1960-62. He then worked for the Farmers Home Administration until 1966. During this time he also earned a masters’ degree from MSU. In 1966 Vern started working for MSU as the Missaukee County Extension Director, a position he held until he retired in 1983. He then worked at NBD Bank in Cadillac for ten years as a farm loan officer and then part-time as a federal crop insurance appraiser until 2002.

When Angie suffered a stroke in 2002, Vern took on his most important job, caring for her faithfully for 16 ½ years until her death in July 2018. They were married for 70 years.

Vern was a long-time member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and an elder. His faith was in Jesus, and through his and Angie’s example, his children took that faith as their own. He was a good husband and father who provided well for his large family. When his kids told him he might be a bit too frugal, he would say, “I grew up during the Depression, you know.” By living on a farm, where he and Angie grew hay and raised sheep, he taught his children the value of hard work.

Vern is survived by seven children: Barb (Dave) Henrickson of McBain, Randy VandePol of Florida, Lori (Joel) Bronkema of McBain, Tami (Rod) Blackledge of South Lyon, Renae (Clark) Schnepf of Lansing, Patti (Carl) Geers of Scottville, Amy VandePol of McBain and a foster daughter, Toni (David) Galvan of Fife Lake.

He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren: Kelly (Lance) Taylor (James, Molly, Dane), Anne (Al) Thomas (Alan, Charlotte, Casey, Selah), Holly Henrickson, Andy (Jenae) Bronkema (Elliana, Cambria, Seneca), Luke (Becky) Bronkema (Harper, Brynn), Emily (Steve) Michalak (Peyton), Ryan Blackledge, Thomas Blackledge, Erin Blackledge, Allison (Josh) Bodell, Lindsey Schnepf, Laura Schnepf, Eric (Ellie) Geers (Ava, Addi, Amelia), Lauren Geers, Carli Geers, and Madison Geers.

Vern’s survivors also include two sisters-in-law: Marilyn Ouwinga of Marion and Gertrude Boven of Cadillac, a brother-in-law: Jim DeHaan of Grand Rapids, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and their spouses: Celia (Jim) Beerens and Don (Irene) VanderPol, and his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Milly (Sid) Visser, Tony Boven, Dee (Gert) Boven, Sid Ouwinga, and Ilene DeHaan  and his granddaughter-in-law, Leanna Geers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 18, at the Northland Community Church with Rev. Ken Koning officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, January 17, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Young-Holdship Funeral Home in Lake City and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will take place in the Falmouth Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Calvin Christian Reformed Church

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online  by visiting  www.Young-Holdship.com.     We do not mourn as those who have no hope!

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