Daniel J. Thill's Obituary
Dan was a kind and generous man with a big heart who knew how to make those around him feel instantly comfortable and like they’ve known him forever. He lived big, loved big and gave back big his entire life. Among his passions were the love of his family, travel and adventure, and the great outdoors. He was a successful businessman and community leader. He was a man of great faith who believed hard work and dedication were the key to success.
Dan was born in Chicago, Illinois but grew up in Holton, Michigan. He joined the Marines at 18 and served in China at the end of WWII. Upon his return he married the love of his life, Mavis Ann Sterritt at the age of twenty and followed his father into business building Thill Oil Company. Over the course of his 50-year career he owned and operated many successful businesses in West Michigan including but not limited to Thill Oil Company, Thill Penn Oil Sales, Kelly Distributing, Classic Porche/Audi Dealership, WKBZ Radio and JDT Consulting. He became a community leader serving on numerous boards and committees including North Muskegon School Board Co-Chair, and founder of Muskegon Ducks Unlimited. He served on the Board of Directors of the Muskegon Community Foundation, Comerica Bank and Baker College. He also served as Chairman of the Board for Mercy Hospital and his generous donations lead to the building of The Thill Family Intensive Care Unit and the Dan and Mavis Thill Heart and Vascular Unit.
Those who knew Dan would tell you he was a devoted family man who loved the outdoors and was also an avid big game hunter. Dan and Mavis traveled the world together. He shared his love of adventure and travel by bringing his children and grandchildren to amazing family destinations such as Hawaii, Alaska and Mexico. All of these brought Dan great pleasure however he would tell you himself his greatest adventure was sharing his life with his great love, Mavis, and the 70 years of marriage they had together. Their love and devotion to each other never faltered and remained strong through their final breath and beyond. Dan has shown us all that patience, hard work, love, and devotion are values worth fighting for and the source of great happiness. Dan will not be forgotten and his spirit will live on in all whose lives he touched.
Dan was preceded in death by sons Spencer and Jeffrey, and his wife, Mavis. He leaves behind his children, Tim (Rita) and Lindy (David). He was a grandfather to Abbie, LeeAnn, Dani and Tyler and great-grandfather to Charlotte and Oliver.
Memorial Services for Dan will be 11 AM Friday, September 30, 2022 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. Visitation with the family will be 1 hour prior to the service, from 10-11AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dan’s name may be made to the Harbor Hospice Foundation or Faith Hospice. Share memories with the family online at http://www.SytsemaFH.com.
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