LeRoy Gary VanMaanen

LeRoy VanMaanen of Portage MI passed away suddenly at Bronson Hospital on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 sadly on his 80th birthday. LeRoy's family includes Gloria VanMaanen his wife of 13 years, his children Debra Comstock, Barbara VanMaanen, Nancy (Joe) Fink, Gary (Dawn) VanMaanen, and step children Sherri (Mike) Pence, Steve (Elva) Arend, John (Sue) Arend and Wendy(Robb) Rittner and 21 grand children and 9 great grandchildren. His sister Helen (John) Rishel. And cherished friend Dick Johnson. He is proceeded in death by his wife Phyllis VanMaanen of 35 years, his brother & sister-in-law Jack (Kathy) VanMaanen and his sister Sondra Madsen. He was a firefighter for 35 years, LeRoy was the Fire Chief at Westwood Fire house and also a fire fighter for the City of Kalamazoo. In addition, Leroy owned several side businesses: A1 Laminating and Roy's TV. He also worked for Hoekstras Greenhouses and Long John Floral delivering flats of flowers around southwest Michigan. LeRoy attended Kalamazoo Christian and graduated from Kalamazoo Central HS in 1957. He met his wife Phyllis and married in 1961 they had 4 children, Debra, Barbara, Nancy and Gary. After his beloved wife Phyllis passed, he later married Gloria Arend, which they enjoyed 13 years together. He was very devoted to his church (Lakeland Reformed) and his family . He was always willing to help anyone in need by selflessly volunteering his time and talents. Every morning you could find LeRoy at his favorite hang out...Bucky's Restaurant in Portage, he will be greatly missed by the wonderful friends and staff whom he spent so much time. He spoke very fondly of all his fellow brothers and sisters from the fire fighting community. His true passion for Chicago firehouses grew intensely throughout his whole adult life. Hobbies included collecting antique firetrucks, attending sprint car races at Kalamazoo Speedway an activity he enjoyed taking his grand children to. He enjoyed watching Nascar. He loved Baseball especially the Cubs and the Tigers. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 11:00am until 12:00pm. The funeral service will be held at noon at the Lakeland Reformed Church, 10442 Sprinkle Road Vicksburg, MI 49097. Please visit LeRoy's webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can read his life story, sign the guestbook, and share a memory. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions may do so to the family to help cover funeral expenses or to Lakeland Reformed Church in memory of LeRoy.