Donald Vandling Obituary, Death – In the hush of Grand Rapids’ winter, Donald Joseph Vandling bid adieu to the earthly stage on February 10, 2024, at the age of 58. Born beneath a winter sky in Hart on December 26, 1965, Donny, a troubadour of the everyday, crafted his life into an ode to simplicity, purity, and truth.
A Minstrel’s Melody
Donny, affectionately known, was a minstrel of the heart, his soul resonating through the chords of sports, music, and poetry. His guitar, a faithful companion, echoed the touch of a self-taught artist. Each chord vibrated with the spirit of compassion and giving, his verses paying tribute to the divine and the human experience.
A Life of Selflessness
A testament to selflessness, Donny harbored no adversaries, his heart a sanctuary free of enmity. In life’s theater, he played the role of the gracious, a champion of equity and fairness, extending love not only to his kin but to every soul fortunate enough to cross his path. On the courts, Donny was both warrior and sage, engaging in Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournaments and later officiating as a Gus Buster. His love for the game extended beyond the court as he mentored young athletes, serving as an assistant coach for the Ludington Orioles alongside his dear friend, Thad Shank.
Skiing and Solace
In later years, cross-country skiing became Donny’s solace, the gentle whisper of skis on snow creating a symphony of tranquility and vitality—a dance with nature in its most serene state. His professional journey mirrored his personal ethos, climbing from a truck loader to supervisor at UPS in Grand Rapids, then becoming a respected team leader at Prince Corporation in Holland, Mich. His work, like his life, was marked by leadership, vision, and unwavering support for his team.
Family, a Sturdy Branch
The family tree, now missing a sturdy branch, stands tall, nourished by memories. Donny’s mother, Flo Purchase; siblings, Pattie Vandling and Johnny (Carrie) Vandling; and step-siblings, Cindy and Tom, are the guardians of his legacy. Nieces Desiree Cook and Clairenda (Jeremiah) Peterson, and great-niece Carrie Mae, are blossoms of his affection. Aunts Irma and Linda, and a constellation of cousins, reflect his light.
Chapters of Wisdom and Growth
Donny’s journey through Mason County Central High School and Grand Valley State College were chapters in a book rich with wisdom, learning, and growth. Donny now joins a celestial family reunion, embraced by grandparents Camiel and Odene, step-father Buck, step-brother Michael, nephew Justin, uncles Fred, Mike, and Thomas, and aunt Meridith and cousin Thomas.
A Legacy of Enduring Harmony
Donald Joseph Vandling, a man who lived poetry, breathed music, and played life like a symphony, leaves behind a legacy as enduring as the words of Auden and as stirring as the verses of Plath. In the hearts he touched, he lives on—a song that never ends, a poem that forever speaks the language of love.
Celebrating a Life: Details of the Farewell
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on February 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Pere Marquette Chapel, Ludington, with the Rosary prayed at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to a local school’s sports team of one’s choice—a fitting tribute to Donny’s love for sports and mentorship.
