Gordon R. VanDrasek, 99, of Watervliet, MI, reached his heavenly home on March 3, 2025, at 6:24 a.m. with his family by his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernard Parish, Benton Harbor on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:45 a.m. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Cemetery in Watervliet. Memorial contributions in Gordon’s honor may be made to Michigan State University Extension-Agriculture Office or Corewell Health Caring Circle Hospice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home, Coloma, MI. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Gordon was born on Sept. 10, 1925, in Watervliet, the son of Adolph “Ake” and Marien (Yates) VanDrasek. A lifelong resident of Watervliet, he spent his life on the family farm, which had been in the VanDrasek/Yates family for three generations. Gordon graduated from Watervliet High School, where he was an excellent student and an active participant in the school’s renowned football program. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, stationed at Camp Kilmer in Piscataway, NJ. A lifelong learner, Gordon earned hundreds of credit hours in agricultural studies from Michigan State University, continually expanding his knowledge of farming.
Gordon’s first job at the age of 8—starting the fire at Stickney School to warm the one-room building in the early mornings—was a reflection of his strong work ethic, which remained a hallmark of his character throughout his life. He worked alongside his parents and siblings on the family farm, cultivating a lifelong passion for agriculture. As the founder of VanDrasek Consulting, Gordon became widely respected in Southwest Michigan for his extensive knowledge of farming, particularly tree fruit cultivation. Even in “retirement,” he and his wife Sandra ran VanDrasek’s Red Raspberries and Gordon worked part-time at Wilbur-Ellis Company. Gordon eventually retired from farming at the young age of 90.
For Gordon, vacation and leisure time meant cutting wood, tending to the raspberry crop or organizing a family “bean picking party.” A faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Watervliet, Gordon served as a church lector and president of the St. Joseph Catholic School Board. He also contributed to his community through his years of service on the Watervliet Fire Board.
Gordon married Sandra (Johnson) VanDrasek on Nov. 25, 1961, and together they were blessed with 63 years of marriage. They also enjoyed dancing and wintering in Safety Harbor, FL.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, Deborah (James) VanDrasek Visin, Michelle Robillard and Daniel VanDrasek; grandchildren, Lukas Visin and Jacqueline (Joe) Karczewski; great-grandchild, Jimmy; sister-in-law, Marcia VanDrasek; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many lifelong friends from Eau Claire, MI. He treasured the close relationships he had with his immediate family, siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends, always looking forward to sharing a cup of coffee, a story or a meal.
He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, James Robillard; brother, John “Jack” VanDrasek; sisters and brothers-in-law, Delores (Maurice “Maurie”) Miller, Anna “Marie” (Douglas) Wendzel, and Norma (Lawrence “Bud”) Hastings; and his baby sister, Marilyn VanDrasek.
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