Donald Van Deventer
1940-04-05 2016-09-07
April 5th, 1940 - September 7th, 2016
An avid reader, Don could challenge your knowledge of almost any subject and would often stay up all night to finish a great book. He thoroughly enjoyed all things construction related and proudly built his own house. His quick wit could make anyone smile and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He loved dogs, water skiing, and riding his tractor. He had a tool for everything and considered the pocket knife the perfect accessory.
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Van Deventer, Donald L. 4/5/1940 - 9/7/2016 Saline Donald Lloyd Van Deventer, 76, of Saline, MI passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 after a four-year battle with tongue cancer. A kind, loving, and generous family man, Don was born in Detroit, MI, on April 5, 1940. He was the youngest son of the late Ralph Edward Van Deventer and the late Dorothy May Stoddard.
He retired from Ford Motor Company after 35 years as a plant facilities engineer. He also served in the US Army Reserve. His career at Ford became the thread that connected much of his life. He met two of his best friends there, Andy Solis and Sam Mills. Andy was responsible for introducing him to Isabel Carrion. Don quickly fell in love with his Puerto Rican sweetheart and they married on August 12, 1967. Don and Isabel Van Deventer were married for 49 years. Together they raised two daughters, Linda Hamlin and Irene McCabe (Dan).
An avid reader, Don could challenge your knowledge of almost any subject and would often stay up all night to finish a great book. He thoroughly enjoyed all things construction related and proudly built his own house. His quick wit could make anyone smile and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline for 36 years and enjoyed serving coffee and donuts after Mass. He loved dogs, water skiing, and riding his tractor. He had a tool for everything and considered the pocket knife the perfect accessory.
In addition to his wife, daughters, and son-in-law, he is survived by two beautiful granddaughters: Melinda and Maura McCabe; three loving siblings: Edward Van Deventer (Peggy), Florence Van Deventer, and Mary Lou Van Deventer (Dan Knapp); and nearly 70 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. The funeral mass will be the following day, Monday, September 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline. Mass begins at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. An on-site luncheon will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) or to the St. Andrew Building Fund in Don's name.
An avid reader, Don could challenge your knowledge of almost any subject and would often stay up all night to finish a great book. He thoroughly enjoyed all things construction related and proudly built his own house. His quick wit could make anyone smile and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He loved dogs, water skiing, and riding his tractor. He had a tool for everything and considered the pocket knife the perfect accessory.
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Van Deventer, Donald L. 4/5/1940 - 9/7/2016 Saline Donald Lloyd Van Deventer, 76, of Saline, MI passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 after a four-year battle with tongue cancer. A kind, loving, and generous family man, Don was born in Detroit, MI, on April 5, 1940. He was the youngest son of the late Ralph Edward Van Deventer and the late Dorothy May Stoddard.
He retired from Ford Motor Company after 35 years as a plant facilities engineer. He also served in the US Army Reserve. His career at Ford became the thread that connected much of his life. He met two of his best friends there, Andy Solis and Sam Mills. Andy was responsible for introducing him to Isabel Carrion. Don quickly fell in love with his Puerto Rican sweetheart and they married on August 12, 1967. Don and Isabel Van Deventer were married for 49 years. Together they raised two daughters, Linda Hamlin and Irene McCabe (Dan).
An avid reader, Don could challenge your knowledge of almost any subject and would often stay up all night to finish a great book. He thoroughly enjoyed all things construction related and proudly built his own house. His quick wit could make anyone smile and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was a parishioner of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline for 36 years and enjoyed serving coffee and donuts after Mass. He loved dogs, water skiing, and riding his tractor. He had a tool for everything and considered the pocket knife the perfect accessory.
In addition to his wife, daughters, and son-in-law, he is survived by two beautiful granddaughters: Melinda and Maura McCabe; three loving siblings: Edward Van Deventer (Peggy), Florence Van Deventer, and Mary Lou Van Deventer (Dan Knapp); and nearly 70 nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. The funeral mass will be the following day, Monday, September 12, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline. Mass begins at 11:00 AM, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. An on-site luncheon will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) or to the St. Andrew Building Fund in Don's name.