Richard L. VanNiman

Richard Lee Van Niman, age 84 of Prairieville, passed away on May 24, 2024 at his home. Richard was born on August 20, 1939 to Edgar & Francis (Pillars) Van Niman. He first grew up on a farm in Portage, then moved to Mattawan where he graduated from Mattawan High School, the class of 1957. He attended General Motors Institute in September of 1957 and went on to attend Western Michigan University while working at Checker Motors. He was hired by Checker Motors as a production worker, working in all departments and advancing to cab assembly. Richard worked on the Checker Aerobus for the Navy contract, and the Aerobus Ambulance. In 1961, he entered the engineering department as Process Engineer until his retirement in 2008. Richard married his high school sweetheart, A. Elaine Pierce, in April 1962. Together they spent 35 beautiful years until her passing in 1997. Richard and Elaine had two sons, Paul and Andy. In April of 1963, he was drafted into the Army and did basic training at Fort Knox, and was then sent to the US Army Southeastern Signal School in Fort Gordon, GA until April of 1965. He has been a member of American Legion Post 84 since 2005. Richard also participated in the Talons Out Honor Flight, which he recommends for any veteran. He has been heard to say, "It is such a great trip and recognizes the veterans!" Richard was recognized by the Prairieville Township Board for his 40 years of contributed service as a member on various boards, commissions, committees and as an election official. He was elected Prairieville Township Trustee in 2016 after his appointment in 2015. He served on the Prairieville Township Planning & Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals of Prairieville Township, was a board member of the Barry County Sewer Authority representing Prairieville Township. He also supported the Prairieville Township Recycling initiative. Richard worked with the Upper Crooked Lake Association and Prairieville Parks and Recreation to build a boat wash station to prevent invasive species growth. He was a member of the Plainwell Rotary prior to Covid. He served on the superintendent advisory board of Comstock Schools while his sons attended. Richard actively fished and hunted in his early years and was an avid bird watcher. He was always a help to his neighbors and friends. He built his home on Pine Lake with the help of family and friends. Richard is survived by his significant other of 24 years, Lorraine Brown; sons: Paul (Laurajane) Van Niman and Andy Van Niman; brothers: Ralph (Beverly), Wesley (Patricia), and Floyd (Donna); numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, A. Elaine (Pierce) Van Niman, and his parents. Relatives and friends may meet with Richard's family on Sunday, June 9 from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. at the Williams-Gores Funeral Home, Delton, MI where a memorial service will take place at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Dan Minor officiating. Richard has donated his body for research to the University of Michigan for Cancer Research. In lieu of flowers please donate to Good Days (mygooddays.org), the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Association (AML), Leukemia Research Foundation (191 Waukegan Rd, Ste 105, Northfield, IL 60093). Also, please consider supporting the Talons Out Honor Flight at https://www.talonsouthonorflight.org/make-a-donation.html, and the Prairieville Township Recycling Initiative. Please visit www.williamsgoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Richard's family.