Stanley Adrian Van Dam

VAN DAM, Stanley Adrian
Of Bradenton, FL On Tuesday morning, February 23, 2010, Stan passed away in Bradenton, Florida and has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior after a long battle with cancer. Stan, the son of Adrian and Maude Dey Van Dam was born July 1, 1924, in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he was a resident most of his life. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, where he had served in Italy and in four campaigns in the European African Middle Eastern Theatres where he received 4 bronze stars; and later became a member of the American Legion. Stan loved working as a building contractor. He owned and operated Van Dam Bros. Builders for 41 years with his brother Harold and later his son, Bob. Throughout the years he made numerous friends in his business and built many beautiful homes. He was very talented and always proud of his accomplishments. After Stan retired in 1989, he and his devoted wife of 30 years, Joanne, moved to Bradenton in 1992 and bought a home at Tara Golf and Country Club. He loved being a member of the Country Club and made many friends there. Stan was an avid golfer, taking pride in his game and enjoyed playing with his buddies in Michigan and Florida. He also enjoyed fishing with his son Bob and friends in Michigan. Family meant so much to Stan, his children and grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved the fun of family get-togethers, whether visiting Michigan or families vacationing near him in Florida. Stan was always upbeat and happy even throughout his long illness. He was predeceased by his brother and wife, Harold and Marie Van Dam; sister and husband, Wilma and Steve Nederhoed and step-son, Kenneth Draayer. Surviving are his wife, Joanne Van Dam Piper of Bradenton; sister, Marion Robert Tracy of Portage; four children, son, Robert Pam Van Dam of Portage, daughters, Linda Brian DeDoes of Hickory Corners, Sharon Bradley Norg of Zeeland, and Karen Pittman of Kalamazoo; three step-children, Sherrie Draayer of Portage, Brett Gowen of Schoolcraft, and Deana Ken Crane of Portage; 25 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A service to celebrate Stan's life will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday at Southridge Reformed Church 6726 Texas Drive with Pastor Mark Vanderson officiating. Entombment with full military honors will be held in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorials in Stan's memory may be directed to Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota, 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238, or to an American Cancer Society local branch. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, guestbook, or condolences for the family.