Michael Alan Van Vlerah, age 77, of Shelby, died Friday morning, August 23, 2024 at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Although his death follows a brief and unexpected illness, Mike’s giving and genuine heart remained with him until the end.
Born February 4, 1947 in Willard to the late L.K. and Carol E. (Baker) Van Vlerah, Mike graduated from Willard High School in 1965. Drafted in 1966, Mike served his country in the United States Navy as a Military Police Officer on two separate Vietnam tours. Mike completed his active-duty service in 1969 and remained in the Naval Reserves until 1971. On March 14, 1970 Mike married the love of his life, Lana Rae Dawson, and together they enjoyed 54 years of marriage. Throughout their lives, Mike and Lana were members of the First Lutheran Church in Shelby.
Mike’s career was spent at the Ohio Steel Tube Company, known to most at the Tuby, beginning in 1972 in the factory as a shipping foreman and expeditor. In 1988 he took a job in customer service in the office as an Inside Sales Representative, a job he enjoyed until his retirement in 2010 under the ArcelorMittal ownership. Following retirement, he enjoyed being the chairman of the OST/ArcelorMittal retiree’s club.
Mike was an incredibly social man who truly enjoyed people, never had enemies, and was genuinely a good human being. As an extrovert, he always wanted to be helpful no matter if it was family, friends, or strangers. Working at Cornell’s IGA following retirement suited him perfectly as small talk and kindness never ran low and neither did suckers, which he gave to children shopping with family to bring them joy.
Mike truly loved his family and especially time spent with them on the boat at his favorite place, Lake Erie. Home in Shelby was a very close second favorite- he loved it and caring for it, and he was incredibly proud of his red Chevy Camaro. He was a faithful member of the Shelby American Legion O’Brien Post 326- especially attending Thursday’s $1 beer special. And certainly, anyone who knew Mike, knows that what he really really enjoyed was drinking an ice cold Budweiser.
In addition to his loving wife, Lana, Mike is survived by his children: Jeffrey M. (Jennifer) Van Vlerah of Ostrander, Brian L. (Kristin) Van Vlerah of Huron, and Amy Gearheart of Marysville; grandchildren: Alec and Audrey Gearheart, Derek and Dylan Van Vlerah, Ada Nichols, Bryce and Camryn Van Vlerah, and Bailey, Seamus, Michael, and Maggie Mae O’Malley; sisters: Sue (Al) Vogel of Shelby and Jill (Bill) Frank of Oldsmar, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his uncle: Wilbur Baker.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 1-3 and 5-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11 am. Pastors Steve Bond and Rus Yoak will preside over the services. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby where military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be to the Shelby American Legion or First Lutheran Church and left in care of the funeral home.
Condolences may left on Mike’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome