Honoring Tradition.
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Gerard VanOtteren

February 19, 1934 - February 8, 2022
Grand Rapids, MI

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Service

Saturday, February 19, 2022
10:30 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263

Friends may visit with his family beginning at 10 AM.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Careline Hospice
103 S Jackson Street
Jackson, MI 49201

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Gerard “Gerry” VanOtteren, age 87 of Grand Rapids, passed away February 8, 2022. Born to Glenn and Josephine Van Otteren in Grand Rapids on February 19, 1934. He attended Union High School before earning his degree from the University of Michigan. After serving in the U.S. Army, he furthered his education in California. His jobs in the following years took him to Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Gerry returned to his hometown, Grand Rapids, where he lived the last forty years. For many years he enjoyed hunting, but he was most passionate about sailing, enjoying his time on his boat, Windy. Gerry was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, and his brother, Gordon VanOtteren.

He is survived by his brother Gay (Sally), his children Eric (Debbie) VanOtteren, Ed (Laura) VanOtteren, Ellen Harpole; step-children Bradford (Melissa) Lorimer, Skip (Kim) Lorimer, and Lee (Keith) Vandenbussche; 14 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren as well as many nephews and nieces. A service to remember Gerry will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with his family beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Careline Hospice, Careline Health Group, 103 S. Jackson Street, Jackson, MI 49201 are appreciated. To share a memory or sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.

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