Jack W. Vanderstelt, Jr.'s Obituary
Mr. Jack Vanderstelt, age 50, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday morning, September 28, 2005. He was born April 8, 1955 in Muskegon to Jack & Priscilla (Hellman) Vanderstelt and graduated from Montague High School in 1973. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years and then attended and graduated from Central Michigan University. Jack had been employed for twenty-three years as a Regional Manager for MOKA, a non-profit agency that supports people with disabilities. Jack was an active athlete at Montague High School and continued his love of high school sports by volunteering his time, energy and dedication to the football coaching programs at both
Montague and Whitehall Schools. He was a mentor and a friend; he was more than a coach to his teams. Jack was most at home in the outdoors, whether it was hunting or fishing in the U.P. or hanging out at Degen's Farm. On June 2, 1979 he married the former Barbara Erickson and she survives him along with their daughter, Jessica Lynne Vanderstelt, who is serving active duty on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), currently stationed on Coronado Island, CA. He is also survived by his parents, Priscilla & Bill Cross; grandmother, Dagmar Rytkonen; 3 sisters, Cheryl (Victor) Williams, Carla Heacock and Darla (Scott) Genson; 1 brother, Richard Vanderstelt; special family friends, Gloria Johnson, Jennifer Kaye Justice and the Degen family, and by many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and his “out-laws”. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack and 1 brother, Joseph. VISITATION will be 2-4 PM Saturday at
Sytsema Funeral Home
737 Apple Avenue
231-726-5210
In accordance to Jack’s wishes there will be no public service. However, for a more lasting MEMORIAL you are asked to consider the Whitehall School District's Jack Vanderstelt Scholarship Fund or the Montague Area Public Schools Jack Vanderstelt Scholarship Fund, or the MOKA Foundation. You are also invited to sign the family’s On-line Guest Book @ www.sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Jack W.?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack W.?
Share a story where Jack W.'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack W. you’ll never forget.
How did Jack W. make you smile?