Donald C. "Don" VanPelt

1924 - 2017

VAN PELT

DONALD "DON" C. died peacefully at home in Plymouth, MI on March 24, 2017 at the age of 92. His wife, Alicia P. Van Pelt, was with him. Don is survived by his wife, Alicia and her four children, William Lesko, John Lesko, Andy (Shelley) Lesko and Marisa (Chad) Downs; two step-children, Becki Legg (Maggie) and Wendi Legg; four children, Donald "Van" Van Pelt (Rosemary Thies), Amy Van Pelt (Joe Jarzembowski), Barbara Van Pelt (David Varga) and Linda Van Pelt (Greg Holman); numerous grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his previous wives Diane K. Van Pelt, Ine W. Van Pelt and Amylou M. Van Pelt and by his stepdaughter Mikako Kanda. Don was born on December 9, 1924 in Detroit, MI to Mary Birrell Van Pelt and Donald C. Van Pelt, Sr. He interrupted his studies to serve in the Army towards the end of WWII, then returned to Cornell University and graduated in 1948 with a degree in mechanical engineering; he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago in the mid-1960s. He married Amylou McLean in 1948 and they moved to Adrian, MI. Here, Don worked in the family business as the manager of a steel tube mill. Over the next 8 years the couple welcomed four children into their home and strived to instill in them the values of education, independence and trustworthiness. Don was an avid skier starting in his early 30's and had many wonderful times skiing with his family. His first love, however, was boating, and he owned many sailboats and power boats over the years on which he travelled the Great Lakes any chance he could get. He had many great adventures on the water with family and friends. His passion was Plymouth Tube Company, the family business, which manufactures specialty steel tubing and extrusions. He grew Plymouth Tube from a small company to a successful multi-location business. His goal was to pass a healthy business on to his children, and in this he succeeded. After his retirement from Plymouth, in true entrepreneurial spirit, he created another business, Lion Tube, which continues today and is also a success to pass on to Alicia's children. Visitation Thursday, March 30, 2017 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Funeral Service Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 W. Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth (Between Sheldon and Beck). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Van Pelt Family Scholarship in honor of Donald C. Van Pelt, Sr. (http://www.whatcomcf.org/van-pelt-family-scholarship/). To share a memory, please visit 

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