Andy VanVleet

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of a remarkable individual, Andrew VanVleet, age 34 of Dewitt, formally of St. Johns, on April 17, 2025.
Andy was born on June 13, 1990, in Lansing, Michigan. He was an adventurous soul with a deep love for the outdoors. Andy, along with his siblings, were baptized. He also attended catechism and received his first communion at St. Peter Lutheran Church. He also attended Caravan Scouting Program at Pilgrim Global Methodist Church when he was younger. He graduated from St. Johns High School with the Class of '08. Following graduation, Andy attended Grand Rapids Community College where he made the Dean's List and earned a degree in Tooling and Manufacturing Technology and later, earned his Journeyman's License.
Andy was not only a dedicated employee at Dowding Industries and Metal Flow, where he worked in the Tool and Die section, but he was also a passionate outdoorsman. He reveled in the beauty and serenity of nature, pursuing hobbies that included hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, and kayaking. His adventurous spirit led him on numerous backpacking trips with his brothers, Michael and Eric, to the Manistee River, Isle Royale, Grand Island, and Pictured Rocks. No matter where he was, Andy always had a fishing rod close at hand, a testament to his love for the sport. He enjoyed sharing his love for fishing with his nieces and nephews, Jacob, Lilli, Macey and Aubree. A particularly fond memory was when he taught his niece, Lilli, how to hunt.
Andy was a dedicated son, a loving family member, and a loyal friend. He cherished time spent with his loved ones and loved making his friends and family laugh. His thoughtful, caring, and humorous nature made him a bedrock of support for his friends and family. His legacy will live on not just in the memories of his loved ones, but in the countless fishing lines cast, campfires built, and trails hiked in his honor.
Those left to cherish Andy's memory are his mother, Debora (Randy) Sillman; father, Jeff (Delores) VanVleet; siblings, Mike (Katherine) VanVleet, Eric (Holly) VanVleet, Abby (Damian) Klein; nieces and nephews, Lilliana, Jacob, Macey, Aubree, Wyatt, Grace and Wesley; and grandmother, Shirley VanVleet, best friend since preschool, Joe Kline; and good friends, Patrick Johnson and Anna Ring.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gary VanVleet, William F. Williams, Veronica Williams, and uncle, William L. Williams.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 25, 2025, at McGeehan Funeral Homes, Keck-Coleman Chapel, 1500 Waterford Pkwy, St. Johns. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am until the time of service. Burial of ashes will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, St. Johns.
Memorial contributions in Andy's name may be made to the MeatEater Land Access Initiative.
We invite family, friends, and those who knew Andy to leave memories and upload photos to his memorial page. Let us remember and celebrate Andy's adventurous, loving, and dedicated life together.
For further information, phone McGeehan Funeral Home at 989-224-4422.