Mr. Allan E. VanderPloeg's Obituary
Allan E. Vander Ploeg, age 84, of Muskegon, passed away, on August 14, 2013. He was born August 9, 1929, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Matthew and Effie (Burgess) Vander Ploeg. A graduate of Calvin College class of 1952, and of Wayne State University Law School in 1955, he married the former Ann E. Clelland on September 23, 1955. Allan’s work as an attorney included his role as attorney for the City of Whitehall for over 30 years. He was active in his community, and was a member of Whitehall/Montague Rotary Club and of the White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Whitehall City School Board. Allan was a member of First Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon where he had served as Deacon and as Elder. He was an avid fisherman, spending many hours on the lake with his beloved dog Splash, either fishing or enjoying the beautiful sunsets. He took great pleasure touring the lighthouses of different regions of the U.S. He enjoyed music and sang in a barbershop quartet for many years. He liked to be active, enjoying golf, skiing, racquetball, and tennis, and a great pleasure of his life was learning how to fly and piloting his own airplane. He was perhaps best known for his quick sense of humor, and when asked “How are you doing?”, would cleverly reply “I didn’t do it!”
FAMILY: His wife, Ann; his sons, Paul and Scott; his granddaughter, Katherine; his brother Max (Nancy); sisters-in-law Elaine and LaVon. Allan was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan; and by his brothers Herman and Jack.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Tuesday August 27, 2013, at 1:00pm, at the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, 6291 S. Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444 with Rev. Ecko DeVries officiating, and interment in Oakwood Cemetery.
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS to the Allan and Ann VanderPloeg Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County would be appreciated.
What’s your fondest memory of Allan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Allan?
Share a story where Allan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Allan you’ll never forget.
How did Allan make you smile?
