Chief Warrant Officer D. O."Van" Van Every, U.S. Army Retired

Chief Warrant Officer D.O. Van Every, U.S. Army Retired, 81 of Gaylord, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at McReynolds Hall.

Born in Manistee, MI on January 14, 1936, Van was the son of Waldo and Warren (Harris) Van Every.

From 1953-1957 Van served in the U.S. Navy.  His ship was in port in Naples, Italy when Van met Florence Zawadzki.  Her father, also in the Navy was stationed there.  Van and Florence married in Boston on February 16, 1957.

After leaving the Navy, Van worked for the telephone company in Torrence, California.  In 1959 he joined the U.S. Army, eventually becoming a Chief Warrant Officer and retiring in 1975.  As a Pershing Missile Maintenance Officer, Van and his family were stationed in Germany.

After finishing his military career, Van and Florence lived for a time in Adams, NY before moving to California where Van worked for 12 years at Northrup Aviation.  After retiring from Northrup, they moved to Sebring, FL.

In the summer of 2007 they came to Gaylord to work at the KOA Campground.  Having enjoyed their summer here that year, they bought a home and have lived in Gaylord ever since.

Van was an avid woodworker and he enjoyed watching TV and movies.  He was a member of the Pershing Professionals Association and the Military Officers Association of America.

Van is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Florence; by his three children, Ken (Debbie) Van Every of Petoskey, Steve (Linda) Van Every of Carbonear, Newfoundland, and Kathy Van Every of McKinney, TX; grandchildren, Tonia (Charles) Hayes, Kenneth J. Van Every and Megan (Troy) Wallace; and great grandchildren, Anna, Matthew, Molly, Andrew, Norah, Phoebe and Lucy.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Van Every and his sister, Ruth Harkness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 18, 2017 at St. Mary Cathedral where the family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00 AM.  Final interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com