Garret VanderMolen, Jr.

Garret VanderMolen, Jr., age 88 of Paw Paw, passed away July 29, 2017. He was born March 17, 1929 in Kalamazoo, MI, to the late Garret VanderMolen Sr., and Blanche (Hensel) VanderMolen. He is survived by his two children, Jane (Roger) Bass and Scott (Barb) VanderMolen, daughter in law, Francie (late Steve) VanderMolen, seven grandchildren, Kristen (Mike) Hurd, Kimber Sotnyk, Kevin (Hilary) VanderMolen, Justin (Cassie) Bass, Matthew (Amy) Bass, Karly and Jared VanderMolen, six great grandchildren, Drew Sotnyk, Morgan Hurd, Claire and Maeve VanderMolen, McKenzie and Weston Bass, along with his sister, Joyce (late Carl) Marutz. Garret was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Patricia, his son, Steve and his sister, Arlene (Robert) King. Garret was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central, where he was active in basketball and ran track. He began working at the Eaton Corporation following high school, at which time he was drafted to the Army. He served during the Korean War and then returned to Eaton following his discharge. He retired from Eaton after 37 years. Following retirement, Garret enjoyed spending his winters in Florida with his wife and siblings, he enjoyed coaching youth baseball and driving the kids to their games, he began golfing at the age of 61 and was a 25 year member of the American Legion McGowan-Johnson Post. Most of all, Garret took pride and great joy in his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He supported his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all of their sporting events and extracurricular activities. He was a simple man that always put the needs of his family above his own. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, where a funeral service will commence on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Gunderson officiating. Burial will follow at Almena Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.