Harold VanderVeen

VANDER VEEN, Harold
Of Portage Went to be with his Lord Thursday morning, January 7, 2010. Harold was born November 5, 1923 in Kalamazoo the son of John T. and Ada VanderVeen. On November 21, 1947 he was united in marriage to his loving wife of 62 years, the former Adelaide Nakken who survives. Harold was a member of the First Reformed Church of Portage. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 34 years with the Upjohn Company where he was the recipient of the prestigious Upjohn Award in 1967. Harold loved sports; in his younger years he enjoyed playing basketball, golf and horseshoes. He spent many summers in the U.P. at his cottage fishing and hunting and loved to travel out west to Texas and Arizona; and south to Florida. Surviving besides his wife are 3 children, Karen Phil Connor of Cadillac, Jim Linda VanderVeen, Terri Dan Jager; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, John VanderVeen, Jr., Robert Alice VanderVeen; 2 brother-in-laws, Harry Bailey, William Brown; and many nieces and nephews. Harold was preceded in death by 4 sisters and 2 brothers, Josephine, Margaret, Claire, Janet, Tom, and Donald. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00o'clock Monday at the First Reformed Church of Portage, 7905 S. Westnedge with Pastor Mike Drew officiating. Friends may meet the family from 10-11:00 at the church. Private family interment will be at a later date in Portage South Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Crystal Woods, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or First Reformed Church of Portage. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre. www.langelands.com