Emil John “Van” Vandervate, age 67, of Hamilton, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2011 at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids. The son of Emil Benjamin & Eleanor Mae (Timmer) Vandervate, he was born on June 18, 1943 in Illinois and grew up in the Hamilton-Holland area.

Van was a veteran of the Vietnam era, serving with the U.S. Army, worked at the former Lifesaver plant as a plumber for 20 years, and later in the garden center at WalMart. He was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are a sister, Jacque McGregor; an “adopted” son, Eric (Kori) Livingston; two nieces, a nephew, a grand niece and a grand nephew; and many special friends including Brooks, Lori, Wanda, Matt, and Missy.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Trestle Stop in Hamilton, with a memorial ceremony and time of sharing at 5:00 p.m. Private interment, with full military honors, will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Arrangements were entrusted to the Michigan Cremation Company, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care. www.MichiganCremation.com