Donald VanZuilen, 75

Donald H. VanZuilen, age 75, of  Sturgis, passed away  Friday, October 8th, 2010 at his home. He was born in Chicago, IL on October 12, 1934, a son of Henry and Emily (Brauneis) VanZuilen. Don graduated from Scott High School in Indiana in 1952 and received his teaching degree from Purdue University in 1955. He later received Masters degrees in Physics and Math from Purdue and the University of Michigan.  On June 18, 1954 Don married Darlene Wagner in Leitersford, IN.
Don was the second teacher hired when Glen Oaks Community College first opened. He taught Physics, math, astronomy and gardening retiring in 1996. He previously taught at the Howe Military School and at Butler High School in Indiana.
He was a member of the N.E.A., Retired teachers assoc. and the Sturgis Grange, former member of Howe Lions Club, Fair Board and the Nottawa Twp. Zoning and planning boards. Don was a master gardener and was very active at the Fair having started the Fair garden. He also enjoyed woodworking, building cabinets and many items. Don was a peacemaker that stood up for free speech, but stood strong for righteousness.
Surviving are his wife Darlene VanZuilen, Sturgis, daughter  Kathy Bahr, Angola, IN, sons Kevin (Cathy) VanZuilen, Ft. Wayne, IN, David (Pamela) VanZuilen, Fremont, IN, 2 grandson Alex and Mitch VanZuilen, sisters Dorothy Herring, Goshen, IN, June (Frank) Hostetler, Middlebury, IN, and Darlene (Leland) DePue, Middlebury, IN, sister in law Evelyn Williams, LaPorte, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother in childhood.
Relatives and friends will be received Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm  at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville. Religious Services will be held at the Centreville United Methodist Church, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 11th,  with Reverend Dr. Karin Orr officiating. Interment will be in the Nottawa Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Centreville Boy Scouts. On line messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.