Lyle Owen VanHouten

Lyle died in Lansing, Michigan on July 9, 2025, with his family by his side. Lyle was born in Mason, MI on July 3rd, 1941, to Max and Reva (Goodenough) Van Houten. He just celebrated his birthday, turning 84. When he was young, his mom & dad & older brother, Roy, moved to a farm near Lake Odessa where he lived until he purchased his home in Sunfield, MI.

Lyle met the love of his life, Karen Holben, on a blind date July 4, 1967, arranged by his sister & brother-in-law. Not one for a long courtship, he proposed to Karen in September, and they married on April 6, 1968; 57 years of loving, caring & sharing.

Family was so important to him. His desire to become a dad came true when his daughters were born in 1970 & 1971. Even more excitement ensued when he became a Papa in 2005. He loved spending time with family.

He was always a hard worker. He worked at the Canning Factory in Lake Odessa, MI (he said he never wanted to see a bean again), Clay Products in Grand Ledge, MI, then Oldsmobile and finally General Motors at the Service Parts Operation (SPO) where he retired after 42 years in 2003. At SPO he packed parts for shipping to dealerships around the country. If a part didn't fit the standard packaging, he created something that would work. He always had a solution for any problem.

Lyle loved to hunt, deer especially, but rabbits & squirrels, as well. With 75 acres on the farm, there were lots of woods for hunting. First day of deer hunting season, he would meet before dawn at the farm, where his mom was up at the crack of dawn making breakfast for the hunters. A special tradition. He also loved to ride his motorcycle, many times taking his girls for a ride. He had always wanted to ride across the Mackinaw Bridge, and made it happen one day on his way north to visit his brother. He couldn't stop talking about it.

He was very generous, not only financially but with his time. He plowed many neighbors' driveways after a snowstorm, without ever being asked to do it. He didn't like the cold but getting the snowblower fired up was energizing for him. He loved to surprise Karen with flowers at work for no special occasion, just because. He even would drop off flowers for the receptionist. He did not like debt or credit cards; if he wanted to purchase a large item he would save until he had the money. One time he surprised Karen by paying off her car. He had scrimped & saved to accomplish that and was so excited to tell her what he had done.

Lyle grew up in a large family with 5 siblings. He loved to share stories from the past with them and others. But you wanted to have some time to listen as he was quite the talker.

Lyle is survived by his loving wife, Karen, daughters Cheryl (Chris) Hall, Kimberly Lynn & sweet granddaughter, Elizabeth (Hall). He is also survived by his siblings, Joan, Joyce, Lee, Judy and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews & cousins. He was proceeded in death by his mom & dad, his stepmother, Ruth, his brother, Roy and sister-in-law Bonnie.

At the Sunfield United Brethren Church, visitation will be from 4 – 7 pm on Tuesday, July 15th and 1 hour prior to the service. The Celebration of Life will also be at the church on Wednesday, July 16th at 11 am.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunfield Library or the Sunfield Historical Society/Welch Museum.

The family would like to thank the Neuro ICU at UM Health-Sparrow Hospital. They provided excellent care for Lyle, as well as thoughtful kindness to his family.