Dan Reynolds

Dan Reynolds lived his life to the fullest. He saw the good in all people and valued the importance of a strong work ethic. He made many lasting friendships during his thirty-five-year career at Michigan Bell and wanted nothing more than to share in his family’s successes over the years. The memories of his jovial attitude and infectious smile will be treasured by his close friends and loved ones for generations to come.

1942 was a period of time marked by WWII. During the years of Franklin D. Roosevelt, William and Nellie (Borst) Reynolds were pleased to announce the birth of their firstborn son, Daniel Richard, on February 23rd, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Later followed by his five younger siblings; Bill, Pat, Sandy, Tom, and Jim, his birth brought much joy and promise in an era of great change.

Growing up on the southwest side of town, Dan lived a typical childhood of the times. His father was employed at Steelcase and his mother was a homemaker. Dan enjoyed spending most of his childhood watching Westerns and participating in imaginative play as cowboys and Indians with other kids in the neighborhood or his siblings. He loved to race and joined the track team in school. Dan was a proud graduate of the Class of 1961 from Grand Rapids Christian. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. His basic training was completed at Fort Knox, Kentucky before he left to serve in Germany. A highlight of his time overseas was witnessing the completion of the Berlin Wall, a concrete carrier that separated East and West Germany until 1989. Anything Dan set his mind to do, he always put in his personal best effort. He was proud of his years as a soldier, yet didn’t make a career out of the Army. Instead, he returned home and landed a job at Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of the woman who would change the course of his life forever, Mary Hutchison! Her closest friend, Linda, was dating Dan’s good friend, Wayne. The four of them got together and the rest was history for him and Mary! They joined in marriage on September 9, 1967, and soon after started their family. Mary and Dan welcomed home three wonderful sons over a six-year period making their early years very busy as new parents. As a father, Dan was very active. He remained involved with each of his kids’ special interests and did his best to attend all of their activities over their growing years. He instilled in his boys the value of family and spending time together. Once retired, he and Mary relocated to Tennessee in 2004 for a short time before she took sick. They moved back to the area in 2008, the same year she passed. Devastated to lose his bride of forty-one years, Dan leaned on his family and friends for support during his transition as a widower.

In the following years, Dan has enjoyed every chance he had with his family. Any time he was with his family, he was truly happy. Dan surrounded himself with people and always had an open door for loved ones. He remained close with his ex-daughters-in-law; Erin, Heather, and Angelina. As a full-time grandpa, he soaked up many memorable trips to get ice cream as well as celebrating each and every holiday with his grandkids. He absolutely loved to spoil them! Dan was a family man through and through. In addition to the time he enjoyed with his family, he also savored many special pastimes. He loved his fine whiskey, range shooting at the South Kent Gun Club, and watching documentaries. Dan still enjoyed old Westerns and watched his daily dose of Fox News. Described as loyal, honest to a fault, and always supportive, Dan will be deeply missed. His special friends and family will always remember his legacy of genuine kindness and compassion toward others. May he rest in peace and may his special memories continue to warm their hearts whenever they are gathered together.

Daniel R. Reynolds, age 80, of Saranac, MI passed away at his home on June 24, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; brother, Bill Reynolds; and sister, Patricia Plummer. Dan was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Saranac. Dan is survived by his children, Dan (Kristie) Reynolds of Hudsonville, Scott Reynolds of Coopersville, David (Andrea) Reynolds of Pittsburgh, PA, Erin Reynolds of Kentwood, Heather (Mike) Monschein of Wyoming, Angelina (John) Hintzen of Saranac; grandchildren, Nicole (Jack), Zachary (Taylor), Mark, Samuel, Deidre, Alexis (Trevor), Anna, Hunter; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Abel, Autumn, Jack, Hank, Kolten, Peyton, Jameson, Deklyn, and Dawson. He is also survived by his siblings, Sandy (Skeeter) Bradford of Grand Rapids, Tom (Vickie) Reynolds of Grand Rapids, Jim (Linda) Reynolds of Newaygo; sister-in-law, Kathy Reynolds of Grand Rapids; many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends, Wayne and Linda Razmus. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 10 AM. The entombment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Dan’s family would like to express their thanks to the staff at SKLD of Ionia and the Saranac Fire Department for the compassionate care they provided Dan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.