Former Leighton Township Supervisor Darwin “Dar” VanderArk, aged 71, of Moline, died of cancer Saturday, Oct. 21.
Dar served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was described by friends and family as a dedicated servant of the Lord; loving husband; father and grandfather.
He was a salesman, Leighton Township Supervisor in the 1980s and 1990s, business consultant, and director of the Michigan Citizens for Decency. He also ran for state representative and was listed as assessor for the City of Wayland.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandy; daughters, Sally (Jim) Williams, Laurie (Tim) Brown, Amy (Kevin) Dykema, Beckie (Justin) Belliel; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Hunter, and Collin Brown, Hannah, Colton, Connor, and Cayden Dykema, Haylie Krutel, Emma Belliel; sister, Karen VanderArk and Gordon Schneider; brother, Marvin (Janet) VanderArk; sister-in-law, Lois Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
His parents, Everett and Christine VanderArk; step-mom, Margaret VanderArk; brother and sister-in-law, Lester and Evelyn VanderArk; father and mother-in-law, Gordon and Ruth Martin; and brother-in-law, Daniel Smith; preceded him in death.
The family will greet visitors on Tuesday from 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. at the Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th St., Cutlerville.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave., SE, Caledonia; with Rev. Timothy J. Brand, officiating. Interment in Hooker Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Dar may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund or Faith Hospice.
