Franklin Lamont VanOosten

Franklin Lamont VanOosten, age 89, of Kalamazoo passed away December 21, 2024. He was born February 26, 1935, in Parchment, Michigan to the late Frank and Dorothy (Ryder) VanOosten.

Franklin was a plant manager at Checker Motors for many years. He also worked at Upjohn before dedicating his time as the business manager and co-leading the Seniors Ministries for Centerpoint Church, where he was a member. He was a man of faith and served as an elder, a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and called on and visited others to support them in times of need. He played the piano and organ at church and other events and enjoyed singing in the church choir and for the Crusaders. Franklin never wavered from his faith and lived out his faith through volunteering and everything he did. He volunteered for numerous years at Park Village Pines and as a driver for the West Michigan Cancer Center. He also served on the boards of the Gospel Mission and the Christian Schools.

Franklin was united in marriage to Joan J. DeVries on August 19, 1955. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He stressed to his family the importance of prayer and praying for friends and family. He taught his children to golf and fish and enjoyed fishing with his wife on their rowboat. They also loved to travel and cherished their big trips to India and Alaska.

Franklin was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Martha (Homer) Lang.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joan VanOosten; children, Doug (Pat) VanOosten, Dennis (Kay) VanOosten, Michelle (Kevin) Mejeur, and Mark (Pam) VanOosten; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and sister, Pat (Sid) Boonstra.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 2:00pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, where family will greet friends from 1:00pm until the time of the service.

Private interment will be in Grand Prairie Cemetery.

Donations in Franklin’s memory may be made to Park Village Pines or Centrica Care Navigators.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.