Neil Van Loo

Neil M. Van Loo, age 90 of Otsego, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025. He was born on March 6, 1935, in Kalamazoo, the son of Leonard and Lena (Doortje de Moor) Van Loo. Neil was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Western Michigan University, with his master's degree in education. Neil served in the U.S. Army. He played fast pitch softball and maintains several records in the Kalamazoo area. Neil taught in the Kalamazoo Public School System for his entire career, primarily in the middle school. On September 6, 1958, he married Barbara Brondyke of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and they were blessed with four daughters. For the last 30 years, Neil had wintered in Arizona. He is survived by his 4 daughters: Diane (Dan) Gilligan of Kalamazoo, Marcia (Greg) Cornell of Otsego, Nancy (Wes) Wooley of Holland, Linda Van Loo of Spokane, Washington; 11 grandchildren: Brian (Lindsey) Gilligan, Gloria (Freddie) Groen, Bailey Gilligan, Tara Cornell, Karli (Josh) Bradshaw, Blair (Hunter) Boyce, Tyler Cornell, Carissa Wooley, Connor Wooley, Trevor Herberg and Travis Herberg; his great-grandchildren: Logyn Bradshaw, Raegyn Bradshaw, Layne Boyce, Brooks Boyce and Kamahri Gilligan; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, Barbara Van Loo, and his siblings, Jacob Van Loo and Martha Pharaoh. A private graveside service was held at Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Donations in memory of Neil may be made to Centrica Care Navigators Hospice or the Animal Rescue Project of Kalamazoo. Please share memories of Neil with his family at

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