Lillian Vanderveen

Lillian VanderVeen of Wyoming passed away February 19, 2025 at 91 years old at Metro Hospital in Wyoming MI. She was born to Robert and Anna McCoy in Grand Rapids MI. She graduated from Wyoming High School and attended Michigan State College for Journalism. She married Don VanderVeen, the love of her life, in June 1952. They were married 73 years. Don and Lillian were charter members of West 44th St. Christian Reformed Church and Lillian served as Deacon and chair of Deacons, Treasurer, Calvinette Counselor and Youth Advisor. Lillian worked in the Travel industry for 50 years, eventually purchasing and becoming President of Lenger Travel Center Inc. Lillian was very involved in the community. She served as President of the Grandville Chamber of Commerce. She served as a member of the Transportation Committee for Grand Rapids Chamber, Board Member with VIS (Volunteers in Service), President of the Grand Village Mall Merchants Association. She has been called “Mrs Wyoming” for her large involvement in the City of Wyoming. She was a board member of the Wyoming Foundation, served on the Wyoming Historical Commission, and she was Chamber President and served on many boards. She was a member of the Wyoming DDA, Chairman of the Board of Review, Chairman of the Business Expo/Celebration of Wyoming. She started a flower campaign to have daffodils planted all over Wyoming. You can still see them today at several intersections. Lillian was very involved with her Altrusa International Group and served in many roles. She was instrumental in starting the Literacy Council and served as President. She served as a director for the Altrusa Foundation. She was always encouraging and motivating others and was extremely generous. Lillian has 5 surviving children, Robert and Cris (Reese), Laurie (Larry) VanHaitsma, Thomas, Robin (Dave) Finkbeiner and Cherie and (Jeff) Fuss; Grandchildren, Justin (Stephanie) VanderVeen, Randy (Richelle) VanderVeen, Tyler Van Haitsma, Terry (Marcy) Van Haitsma, Erin (Scott) Walcott, Nathan (April) VanderVeen, Krista Luloff, Michael VanderVeen, Holly (Jeff) Drew, Kyle Finkbeiner, Nicholas (Joshua) McCoy; and 16 Great-Grandchildren; Sisters, Louise Wheeler and Janine (Casey) Burns; Sister-in-law, Anne VanderVeen Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Donald VanderVeen; and her parents, Robert D McCoy and Anna McCoy (Dertein). Funeral will be at 11:00 AM on March 14, 2025, at Faith Community CRC, 5250 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, Visitation will be held one hour prior at 10:00 AM with a light lunch to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Faith Hospice. Faith Hospice, 8214 Pfeiffer Farms Drive SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. faithhospicecare.org. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian Vanderveen, please visit our flower store.