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 be left on Mike’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Mike’s tribute video, click the provided link: Mike’s tribute video.
Lana, Jeff, Brian and Amy and families!
We are so sad to see this! Mike always had a smile! Such great neighbors, as our kids were growing up!
Please accept our heartfelt condolences!
With love,
Bill & Sue
Lana and family,
My heart goes out to you in the loss of Mike.
May God hold you in his loving arms as you go through this difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are there with you.
We are so very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. ❤️
OMG … I am so very sad to hear this news! Mike has always been a very special person and a truly caring friend! Soooo many wonderful and happy memories of our years as part of the Tuby family. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family! Hugs, Kathy
Lana and Family,
So sorry to hear of Mikes passing my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Cherish the many memories you have shared and had may God Bless you all. Blessing to all..
Dear Lana and family, we are so sad and shocked to hear of Mike’s passing. We will miss seeing him in his fancy red car. Loved the days when he pulled the wagon with those adorable Grandkids down the street on trick or treat night. He was such a great neighbor. Please accept our sympathy. Your whole family is in our prayers. Clem and Kathy
Lana and family, I was saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. I considered Mike as a friend and an older brother. He was funny and introduced me to many euphemisms which I still use today. He truly loved his family especially Lana, the love of his life. May the fond memories of Mike fill the void in your hearts at this time. God speed Mike.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have such fond memories of Mike growing up on Madison Ave. Prayers to all of you.
Mike was always the life of the party and his warm personality lit up any room he was in. We are all better for having known him. He lived a full and rich life and will be missed greatly. Lots of love to his family as they grieve this wonderful man, husband, father and grandfather.
Our thoughts & prayers to Lana & family. Mike was such a very special guy who loved life & loved his family & who always had a smile on his face. He will be missed by all.
Lana, kids and families. Our deep condolences on the passing of Mike. I’ve known him since 8th grade at Willard.
Lana &Family So shocked and saddened to hear about Mike.What a great neighbor and Legion pal. Won’t be the same without his smiling face in the neighborhood ,your in our prayers!
Cousins and spouses: Jean and I are very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was truly one of kind. Always quick with a smile and a one liner. Rest in peace Mike.
Ed
I love grandpa so very much.. he was never not smiling. My heart, although broken, goes out to all of you. Love you all tremendously ❤️❤️❤️
Lana, Jeff, Brian and Amy, I’m so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Lots of wonderful memories of him when I saw you all out and about and having Mike as my “carry out guy” at Cornell’s was always a treat. Sure thinking of you and your families during this time. Hold those memories near and know that Mike was loved and admired by so many. ♥️
We are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. All our prayers, Lana, for you and family
Lana and family I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that I’m thinking of all of you. Precious memories of our Little League days.
Lana, Jeff, Brian, Amy and family,
We are very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing.
Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Love,
Jeff & Amy, Lauren & Drew and Connor
Mindy and Grant
Deepest sympathies from our family to yours. May God’s love surround you all and hold your family close together
So sorry for you loss Brian and Kristi. Prayers go out to you and family may your dad Rest in peace.
Lana, Brian, Jeff, Amy and families…Kari and I send our love and condolences. Mike was always fun to be around with a quick joke and a smile. So many memories with all of you, and Mike was always in the middle of it :). We are thinking of you all!
Matt, Kari, Dylan and Haley
Dear Lana & Family, You are all in our prayers, as you deal with your loss. Mike was one cool dude!! Always had a smile, joke and a beer to welcome everone!! Donna and our family send our love and sadness at your loss.
Donna & Carl
I always appreciated Mike’s outgoing attitude. Mike was a great and close friend to my brother Toby who regrets being unable to attend at this time. Cherish the great memories Mike leaves all of us.
Lana, Sue and family,
So sorry for your loss.
Dick
Lana and family, We were so sorry to hear about Mike! May all your memories live on. Your all in our thoughts and prayers♥️
MIKE WAS A GREAT CLASSMATE. SURE WILL MISS HIM !
I am so very sorry for your loss! Mike was such a good man. He will be missed beyond words. Cherish every memory, laugh, hug and Bud spent with him! My prayers, thoughts and love are with you all!
Lana and family,
So sorry for your loss. Mike was a person who was always fun to be around. I definitely will miss seeing him at the retiree meetings.
So very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Sorry, for your loss.. Mike was 2 years behind me in high school.. Prayers for the family & God Bless…
Lana & family. Bob & I are so saddened with the passing of Mike. One of a kind man & so much fun. Treasure your years together & all the good times. to you all!
What a great man who will be celebrated for generations. I pray that in the minutes, hours, weeks, and beyond that through your tears you find smiles as you think about the amazing memories you all made with your fabulous husband and dad.
Lana and family, I am so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. I’m sure he will be greatly missed. I enjoyed working with him at the tuby. he was a good partner for years. He was always ready with a kind word.
Jeff and all of Mike’s family, We are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing, what a great and fun guy to be around. Know that he and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Due to my work schedule, I can not make it to his calling hours or funeral – I wish I could be there in person to pass on my condolences to you! Just know that we are thinking of all of you and may God wrap is loving arms around you all!!
Mark and Julie Metzger
Lana and family, l was so sorry to hear about Mike , just know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I would like to thank everyone that took the time to pay respects to my dad yesterday and today (especially Jake and Brooke at Penwell Funeral Home, outstanding care, made it easier for sure), as we said good bye to him. It was one of the most difficult things I have done at 49 I must say. But friends and family always help you power through difficult times. I am so proud of my momma, I feel she really was a battleship since Aug1 the day my dad got sick. We got your back momma, this is a new path for all of us. But we are VanVlerahs, our love and bond the 5 of us had will be even stronger, pops is just in the upper level seats now. Cheers to us Lana Jeff Brian and Amy ❤️