John H. VeenKant

John H. Veenkant, 90, of Richland, died July 16, 2023.  John was born September 26, 1932 in Kalamazoo to Elzo and Gertrude (Vanderveen) Veenkant.  He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1951 and immediately started working for the Allied Paper Mill.  A year later, John married the former Betty Bland on February 22, 1952.  The couple enjoyed 69 years of marriage until Betty’s passing in 2021. 

John loved bass fishing, golfing and playing softball.  He was an avid Gull Lake sports fan and worked at the Sherman Lake YMCA for 10 years after his retirement.  

John is survived by his three children, Gary (Marguerite) Veenkant, Dennis “Denny” (Karen) Veenkant and Sally (Todd) Kenyon; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents and a sister, Johanna Bryant. 

A memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, August 27, 2023 in the Kellogg Hall at the Sherman Lake YMCA.  Memorial donations may be made to the Richland Library, Gull Lake Community Schools or to a charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel.  Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.