Donald Dean Scholten, age 60, of Sheridan, passed away Monday, January 4, 2016 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids after a courageous battle with cancer.  The son of Donald Irving & Jane Irene (Preston) Scholten, he was born on December 9, 1955 in Clare and was a 1974 graduate of Greenville High School. 

On June 5, 1999, at their home, he married the former Janet Lynn Witham and together they enjoyed over 16 years of marriage.  Dean retired from Federal-Mogul Corporation after 30 years of service and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising beagles.  He was a member of Greenville Community Church where he made many friendships… especially in the small groups and Community Life programs.  Family was very important to Dean and he delighted in attending all of his grandchildrens' sporting events, concerts, and programs.         

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Scholten in 2002;  his daughter,  Danielle Dee "Dani"  Scholten on October 23, 2013;  his brother, Darwin James Scholten on May 20, 2015;  his father-in-law, Marvin Witham;  and his special friend, Marv Everingham.

Surviving are his wife, Jan Scholten of Sheridan;  his mother, Jane Scholten of Sheridan;  his children, Tabitha & Scott Ripley of Stanton, and Melissa Wagner & Kevin "Joey" LaFountain of Greenville, Jeremy & Nicole Neve of Greenville, and Jill & Troy Hansen of Sheridan;  his grandchildren, Masen, Madison, Brady, Conner, Cass, Drew, Ryan, Gavin, Jordyn, Jadan, Ava, Trenton, and Courtney;  a great-grandson, Collen;  his sister, Tammy & Roy Doolittle of Greenville;  his brother, Darrell & Annie Scholten of Williamston;  his mother-in-law, Karla Witham of Greenville;  two sisters-in-law, Sharon Page of Mecosta and Terri Witham of Sheridan;  several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins;  his special friends at Blake Hollenbeck Auto Sales, Pastor Joel Heron,  and many other dear friends.

Visitation with the family is from 3-4 p.m. on Friday at Greenville Community Church, 6596 S. Vining Road, Greenville, where memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.  The Rev. Joel Heron, lead pastor of Greenville Community Church, will officiate and a time of food and fellowship will follow the ceremony in the church hall.

Instead of flowers, Dean would have appreciated contributions in his memory to either the Community Life program at Greenville Community Church or to R.A.V.E. / Relief After Violent Encounter – Ionia and Montcalm (http://www.raveim.org/).  Envelopes will be available at the church.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Dean's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit:  www.ChristiansenCares.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville.