Claude Vanzandt

Claude Martin VanZandt, age 85, of Trufant, passed away unexpectedly at his home. The only child of Claude Avery & Lillian (Iveney) VanZandt, he was born on May 9, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. Following his father's service in World War II, they made their home in the Coral and Trufant area until Claude enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. He was a proud veteran of the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, he enrolled at Davenport Institute and earned a degree in business accounting before beginning his 40 plus year career at Mechanical Rubber & Transmission in Grand Rapids, where he eventually became owner. Claude was an avid tennis player and a member of MVP Sports Club, where he often played tennis three times a week. He also enjoyed traveling and trips to the casino. On March 11, 1961, in Langston, he married Mary Phillis Headley and together they raised one son and enjoyed 61 years of marriage until Mary passed away on January 26, 2022. Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Scott & Aschelle VanZandt of Lakeview; three grandchildren, Aaron VanZandt of Texas, Austin & Codey Urbanc of Hermansville, and Liah VanZandt of Lakeview; three great-grandchildren, Sophia Urbanc, Bryce Urbanc, and Samara Urbanc; a brother-in-law, Donald Headley; and many nieces and nephews. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen's Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, (616) 754-5638, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Claude Vanzandt, please visit our flower store.