Daniel Hodgkins

Daniel A. Hodgkins, age 94, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Monday morning, September 4, 2017 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born on May 17, 1923 in Jefferson, Maine, the son of Earle and Meda (Sawyer) Hodgkins. Dan grew up in Jefferson and attended the local grade schools. He graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1941. Dan was a veteran on the United States Naval Aviation serving during World War II. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Agricultural Engineering. Following graduation, he moved to Kalamazoo, where he was employed for 36 years at National Water Lift/ Abex/ Parker Hannifin as a Test Engineer and later as a Reliability Analyst Engineer. While in Kalamazoo, he met Cornelia VanKrimpen, from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. They were united in marriage on March 3, 1958. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Conny Hodgkins; daughter: Judy (Tom) Fawley of Kalamazoo; son: Daniel Hodgkins II of Portage; twin sons: Richard Hodgkins of Kalamazoo and Randall (Kellie) Hodgkins of Portage; five grandchildren: Tommy (Anna) Fawley, Sawyer Hodgkins, Trevor Hodgkins, Alicia Kay and Katie (Jeremy Cole) Fawley; four great-grandchildren: Adreanna, Andrew, Amari and Jayden; niece: Nancy Ackerman of Florida; nephew: Wayne Ackerman of Massachusetts; and brother-in-law: Bastiaan (Joyce Kulikowski) VanKrimpen II. Preceding him in death was his sister: Betty Ackerman. Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. Private family services will be held on Friday, Sept. 8, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Private interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to National Multiple Sclerosis Society or Lighthouse Community Church.