Donovan Adendorf D.C.

Donovan Adendorf D.C., 52 of Gaylord, died on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Born on December 13, 1961 in Pretoria, South Africa he was the son of Christian and Susanna (Cloete) Adendorff. After the 1972 death of his parents, Donovan and his siblings moved to Port Elizabeth, South Africa and lived with their grandmother.

Donovan attended Port Elizabeth University for five years, served as a First Lt. in the South African Army for two years and then taught at Muir College there for several years.

In 1989 he began a modeling career, and was the Wrangler jeans model on South African television. He also did commercials for Volkswagen and Armani cologne. In 1989 he also moved to Europe, modeling in Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Denmark. Donovan was fluent in five languages. In 1992 he moved to the United States.

The father of his former girlfriend, Michelle McLain, was a chiropractor and was instrumental in his interest in a chiropractic career. Donovan attended Chiropractic College at the University Of Western States in Portland, OR. He first practiced in Pittsburgh and Traverse City before moving to Gaylord where he practiced for several years. In 2012 he moved to Phoenix, AZ where he practiced and became certified in acupuncture. Recently he returned to Gaylord and was to move back to his native South Africa on August 25th to begin a new practice there.

A well known ironman triathlete in the United States and in South Africa, Donovan was also an active rugby official in Michigan and Arizona. He was a past board member at the Otsego County Sportsplex, a mason and past worshipful master of his lodge.

Surviving are his sister, Crystal; brothers Christian, Tony and Roy as well as many nieces and nephews all in South Africa; his former wife, Kerry Adendorf; his close friends Art and Diane Street of Gaylord and many, many other friends.

A memorial service will be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A memorial gathering and wake in Gaylord will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 1:00-4:00 PM at Livingston Township Hall, 3218 Old 27 North.

Because Donovan was an animal lover, those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Otsego County Animal Shelter. Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 850 North Center Avenue.

Donovan Adendorf D.C., 52 of Gaylord, died on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Born on December 13, 1961 in Pretoria, South Africa he was the son of Christian and Susanna (Cloete) Adendorff. After the 1972 death of his parents, Donovan and his siblings moved to Port Elizabeth, South Africa and lived with their grandmother.

Donovan attended Port Elizabeth University for five years, served as a First Lt. in the South African Army for two years and then taught at Muir College there for several years.

In 1989 he began a modeling career, and was the Wrangler jeans model on South African television. He also did commercials for Volkswagen and Armani cologne. In 1989 he also moved to Europe, modeling in Italy, Greece, Switzerland and Denmark. Donovan was fluent in five languages. In 1992 he moved to the United States.

The father of his former girlfriend, Michelle McLain, was a chiropractor and was instrumental in his interest in a chiropractic career. Donovan attended Chiropractic College at the University Of Western States in Portland, OR. He first practiced in Pittsburgh and Traverse City before moving to Gaylord where he practiced for several years. In 2012 he moved to Phoenix, AZ where he practiced and became certified in acupuncture. Recently he returned to Gaylord and was to move back to his native South Africa on August 25th to begin a new practice there.

A well known ironman triathlete in the United States and in South Africa, Donovan was also an active rugby official in Michigan and Arizona. He was a past board member at the Otsego County Sportsplex, a mason and past worshipful master of his lodge.

Surviving are his sister, Crystal; brothers Christian, Tony and Roy as well as many nieces and nephews all in South Africa; his former wife, Kerry Adendorf; his close friends Art and Diane Street of Gaylord and many, many other friends.

A memorial service will be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A memorial gathering and wake in Gaylord will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 from 1:00-4:00 PM at Livingston Township Hall, 3218 Old 27 North.

Because Donovan was an animal lover, those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Otsego County Animal Shelter. Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 850 North Center Avenue. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com

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