Dean Arthur Van Natter

Dean Arthur Van Natter of Wellston, Michigan and Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 in Grand Ledge, Michigan at the age of 93. Dean was born August 16, 1931 in Cadillac, Michigan, to Ira Earl and Ruth Violet (Hoffman) Van Natter.
He was preceded in death by his former wife Janet (Anderson) and his daughter Pamela; sisters Vera (Apple), Velda (Knoch), and Eleanor (Watson); and his brothers Edwin and Irving. He is survived by his children Gregory Van Natter, Michelle (David) Fowler, and Matthew (Donna) Van Natter; grandchildren Geoffrey (Mandy) Van Natter, Daniel (Yasmenda) Van Natter, Jonathan (Courtney) Van Natter, Christina (Jamie) Williams, Erik Jones, Madison Van Natter and Samuel Van Natter; great grandchildren Betsey, Molly and Cecily Van Natter, Noah and Bennett Van Natter, Layla Williams, and Ashley and Alexander Jones; and his friend, Amber Jones.
Dean graduated from Cadillac High School (Cadillac, Michigan) in 1951, where he lettered in football, basketball and track and met his future wife, Janet Anderson. He and Janet married on October 20, 1951.
Dean worked at Extensol Furniture Corporation in Sparta, Michigan after graduation until he was hired by Michigan State Highway Department (MSHD). During his time at MSHD, he was assigned to survey, construction and inspection divisions, with assignments in Scottville, Reed City, and Cadillac, Michigan.
Dean became a Michigan State Police Training Academy Recruit in East Lansing on February 8, 1954. Having successfully completed all the prescribed courses, he was appointed as Michigan State Police Recruit and assigned to the New Buffalo Post on April 20, 1954. At New Buffalo he was assigned to Trooper Robert Spletzer, his training supervisor for the duration of his recruit status. Recruit Van Natter completed his probationary training and served one more year at the New Buffalo Post. On February 19, 1956 Trooper Van Natter was reassigned to the Manistee Post.
Becoming a Michigan State Trooper fulfilled Dean's lifetime dream. Accompanying Dean on this journey to start a new phase of life as a member of the MPS, February of 1956, were his wife and two small children. Their arrival at Manistee was met by the MSP family, who were not only there to greet them, but to assist Dean and his family in establishing a home in Manistee. This new assignment made it possible to increase the family to four children, build a home, and become an active member of their new community.
Concurrent with Michigan State Police service, Dean joined the Army National Guard. Dean on March 2, 1957, with the 46 MP Co 46 Inf Div Michigan in Cadillac. He worked his way up from Private to Sergeant in three years. In 1958, he received a commission of a 2nd Lt. and an assignment as the Escort Guard Officer. From 1959 to 1963, he was assigned as a Platoon Leader. He served as a Unit Commander from 1966 to 1970 in Manistee, Michigan.
In 1965, he was selected as a National Young American Men with Honors and, in 1966, he was the recipient of the Michigan State Police Trooper of the Year (Gerstacker Award). In 1968, Dean was selected as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Manistee Outstanding Citizen of the year.
Dean was promoted to Michigan State Police Sergeant on December 5, 1971 and assigned to Jackson District Headquarters as Office of Civil Defense Coordinator. He was transferred in 1972 to Battle Creek and then to East Lansing Headquarters, Office of Civil Defense in 1973. He retired from the Army National Guard on December 25, 1973 and retired from the Michigan State Police on September 7, 1979.
Upon retirement from the MSP, Dean was employed by the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) as a Civil Preparedness Coordinator. In this position, he reviewed hospital and medical care facilities' disaster preparedness plans and participated in on-site exercises and critiques. At the time of his retirement in 1993, he was the licensing officer to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) and Alternative Finance and Delivery System (AFDS).
In the early days of the Michigan State Police the radio communication was only from the Post to the car. These communications were designated by a series of signals of which, Signal 3 meant "Return to Post." In honor of his years of service "Michigan State Police Trooper, Dean Van Natter received his last Signal 3 on November 3, 2024."
"Don't grieve for me, I am now free;
I'm following the path that's laid for me.
I could not stay another day, to laugh to love, to work or play
and if my parting has left a void,
then fill it always with remembered joy.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
from my earthly bonds, I now am free." – Source Unknown.
"Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your soul for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Dean's family and friends will celebrate his life and witness his interment at the Maple Hill Cemetery, Van Natter Family Plot, in Cadillac, Michigan in August of 2025. The family is being served by Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com