Don T. “Chip” Groenendal

(April 23, 1943 - November 9, 2008)

Don T. “Chip” Groenendal, 65, of Grant, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 at his home.

Don was born on April 23, 1943 in Fremont, and was raised by Elmer and Margaret (Jones) Olson. Don graduated from Fremont High School in 1962, and was later drafted into the United States Army where he served during the Vietnam Era. Don had been a lifelong resident of the area, where he was a self-employed car dealer. He had also been the owner of Vette Fantastic in Fremont, and had been a partner of Satellite Auto in Fremont. Don had been racing vari ous items from the time of high school. Throughout his years, he raced go-carts, drag racing on the amateur circuit, and snowmobile rac ing on the professional cir cuit. Don enjoyed working on cars and had also been a stock car mechanic. Don also found much enjoyment in golfing in the past few years. He was also a mem ber of the Royal Corvette Club of West Michigan.

He is survived by his daughter, Mindy (Ron) Wells of Fremont; his wife, Lazara Groenendal of Grant; step-son, Cornell Owens of Rochester Hills; his sisters, Arlene (Doug) Kenney of Howard City, Deanna (John) Rynberg of Fremont, and Rosemary Towne of Howell; his former wife, Dyann Groenendal of Fremont; a foster son, Todd Tyler of Muskegon; special friends, Dar and Darrel Crawford, Jerry and Ilene Witte, and Warren and Pat Stroven; and many nieces, nephews, and special friends in the area.

Memorial services were held on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Crandell Funeral Home - Fremont Chapel, with Pastor Jon Fuson of the White Cloud Church of God presiding. Friends may consider the Don T. Groenendal family to assist with funeral expenses for memorial contributions in memory of Don. Friends may send a condolence or share a memory with the Groenendal family online at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home - Fremont Chapel.

11/19/2008 Times Indicator Article (p. 11) Times Indicator
Fremont High School Alumni News