Joseph Michael Vandervennet

Joseph Michael Vandervennet was born on December 5, 1945 to Antoinette and Leo Vandervennet.  He was the 11th of Ann and Leo's 12 children, which included 8 sons (Leo, Bill, Bob, Ed, Fred, George, Joe and Charlie) and 4 daughters (Betty Ann, Theresa, Pasty and Mary).  The Vandervennet’s lived in Detroit until September 1950 when they moved to Livonia.

Joe's childhood was filled with school, friends, baseball, bike riding, family excursions to Kent Lake and reading.  He attended Our Lady of Sorrows grade school and high school, graduating in 1963.  Joe was an excellent student as well as a good athlete, playing both football and running track.

Immediately after graduation, Joe joined the family's bricklaying business, Leo J. Vandervennet and Sons.  Starting out as a laborer, he worked hard and eventually became a full-fledged bricklayer.  Joe worked for Leo J. Vandervennet and Sons for the next 42 years.

In 1975 Joe met Lana, fell in love and were married.  Although he had no biological children, Joe deeply loved and cherished Lana's children; Joyce, Nancy, Wade, Tina and Carla.

Joseph was a shy, simple, gentle and humble man who enjoyed spending time with animals, reading, watching sports ... and ... drinking great quantities of coffee.  Joe was deeply passionate about his love for God, his family and his friends and he spent a lifetime humbly putting others before himself.

Joes is survived by his wife Lana, his children, his brothers Fred (Beverly) and Charlie (Mava), his sisters Theresa (Bob), Patsy (Gary) and Mary (Dwight), a sister-in-law MaryJo, brother-in-law Ralph Vader and many loving nieces and nephews.

We thank God for the gift of Joe's life.  Loving Joe was our delight and missing him will be or sorrow; however knowing we'll be with Joe again is our infinite joy.