Daniel Ellsworth Thornell's Obituary
Dan Thornell, 77, of Grand Haven, MI, passed away on January 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A devoted husband for 50 years to his cherished wife, Bonnie, their story began at the “Pearl Street Big Boy,” a Grand Rapids landmark. It was there that Dan, behind the wheel of his cream-colored Bonneville, first captured Bonnie’s heart. Together, they raised three daughters—Sara Parsons (Gary), Jamie Seagraves, and Jennifer Thornell (Jon Rouwhorst)—and were blessed with nine grandchildren: Maddie, Kaiden, Myles, Brody, Reyer, Kennedy, June, Charlie, and Lena.
Dan was known for his giving spirit and willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His career was as varied as his talents, from painting boats and working as a Meijer produce clerk to running his own business and investing in real estate. His time at North Shore Marina marked the start of a legacy, where he honed life skills that carried him through countless projects. Dan’s boundless energy, positivity, and resourcefulness left a lasting impression on all who knew him—there was no task too big for him to tackle.
Dan was an avid golfer, a lifelong Elvis fan, a Jeff Gordon enthusiast, and a master chef of deep-fried chicken wings. Dan owned a boat for the majority of his life and his greatest pleasure was sharing his love for boating with family and friends. In his later years, he embraced sunny days on Anna Maria Island, where he soaked up the warmth of the sun, prepared breakfast with love, and always kept his family at the center of his heart.
Dan’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ellsworth Thornell and Monesia Spinner; his sister, Joan Guritz; and his in-laws, Claude and Jan Victory. He is survived by his siblings, Fred Thornell, Marilyn Dykman (Phil), and Sherry Kacos (Doug), as well as many other beloved family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
A service honoring Dan’s life will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 620 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Following the service, the family invites you to a Celebration of Life luncheon at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 20 N. 2nd Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org) in support of research and awareness.
Dan’s warmth, generosity, and unshakable spirit will forever remain in our hearts. He will be deeply missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Daniel?
What’s a lesson you learned from Daniel?
Share a story where Daniel's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Daniel you’ll never forget.
How did Daniel make you smile?