Frank R. Van Pelt

Frank Robert VanPelt, age 94, is now in the arms of his Dear Lord, having passed from this world on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Audrey and first wife Rayola; parents William and Mary VanPelt; sister, Cerise Bartholomew (Lester); sister, Daisy Ellen Livingston; sister, Eleanor Avery; sister, Ethel Chase (Don); sister, Nancy and brother, William VanPelt (Mary Kay). He is survived by friends & family, especially many nieces & nephews, including great, as well as great-great nieces & nephews who loved him dearly.

Frank was born on the 22nd of February 1930 in Detroit, MI. He spent his childhood in the Fife Lake, Kingsley area in Grand Traverse County, MI. He moved with the family to Byron Center, Kent County, MI in 1949 and graduated from Byron Center High School.

He was smart and hardworking. Known for his kindness and sense of humor, and as many have pointed out, he was very handsome. He always loved working with his hands. He worked with his brother Bill in their dad’s business: The VanPelt Skid & Lumber Company, before joining the Army (1951-1953) to serve proudly in the Korean War. He would later go into woodworking and furniture making in the Grand Rapids, MI area. Frank especially loved working in the garden, planting both a variety of vegetables and flowers every year. His friends from church often called him, “Farmer Frank,” which he always got a kick out of.

He and his wife Audrey enjoyed fellowship with their friends at New Community Church just up the road from their home on Dean Lake Avenue. They often enjoyed having dinner at church with friends on Wednesday evenings. If they were unable to attend the dinner for any reason, someone from their circle of friends would bring the dinner to them. They continued to do this for Frank after Audrey passed away.

Throughout his life, Frank was always helping others. Both his first wife, Rayola (who passed away in 1992) and his wife Audrey (who passed away in 2024) were kindred spirit companions to Frank and shared his love of animals, nature, working the land, and helping others, whether it be their nieces and nephews or someone in the community who just needed a little extra help in their lives.

A book could be written about the life of Frank Robert VanPelt. He loved to share stories about his family, his growing up years, his time serving in the military, and his career in woodworking and furniture making.  Please share the memories you have about his life on this memorial page for all his family and friends to enjoy. He will be missed, but we carry him in our hearts… ALWAYS.

The funeral service will be at 11am on Tuesday February 25, 2025 at New Community Church, 2340 Dean Lake Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday at Memorial Alternatives from 4-7pm and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at Winchester Cemetery. 

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