Van Dale Litwiller

My dear husband, our father, and grandpa quietly left us in the early morning hours of June 19, 2024.

Born on October 20, 1953, to Maynard and Norma (Diller) Litwiller, Van was the youngest of six children. He spent his entire life on the farm where he grew up. For a few years he attended the Smith Allen and Wood schools and completed his education at Fulton School. Dad was baptized on December 15, 1968, by Minister Don Gable at the Newark congregation. He loved the Lord and endeavored to keep the faith.

Van married me, Gaila Litwiller, on July 22, 1973. We enjoyed fifty happy years together. The winters we spent in Arizona hold a special place in my memory. Our home was blessed with four children and he was very interested in their lives. Van loved children and our grandchildren brought him special delight.

During our growing up years, Dad had a dairy farm. After he sold the cows, he focused on growing hay along with other crops. Farming was much more than an occupation. During his illness, working on the farm was his therapy. He loved nature and the outdoors: making maple syrup in the spring, biking, hunting, and family fishing trips Up North. Vacations were also a highlight. As a family, we took many trips, traveling all over the US and Canada. Dad carefully planned the details of our travels before we left home.

Dad was patient, calm and steady; a quiet rock of strength we could depend on. His meticulous nature was evident in the special care he took with everything he handled. He especially enjoyed maintaining a neat, tidy yard. For many years Dad served as an usher at church. He will be remembered for his polite, courteous manner and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Our Dad was diagnosed with liver disease in February 2002. This started a journey with many ups and downs, leading to a liver transplant on December 3, 2016, at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona. A special friend, Loren Roslund, traveled to Arizona with folks and cared for Dad during the time of testing prior to the transplant. We deeply appreciate his kindness. Dad endured long years of sickness, hospital stays and discomfort and he would have gladly given up this life in exchange for Heaven, but he bravely fought on as long as he could for the sake of his family. Dad’s presence in our daily lives will be keenly missed, but we are comforted to know he is free from all suffering.

Those left with fond memories are his wife, Gaila; his children: Yolanda and Alan Inniger, Ward and Lois Litwiller, Bryce and Sharilee Litwiller, Arlan and Pamela Litwiller; grandchildren: Ty and Kimbrel Inniger and Erika Inniger; Kylie, Parker, Brandi, Addison Litwiller; Leslie and Taylor Haynes, Jasper, Quince, Wyatt, Zane Litwiller; Ashlyn and Ansley Litwiller, all of Michigan; his five siblings: Anita Wiebe and Jean Helms, Ithaca, Michigan; Alvin Litwiller, Johns Island, South Carolina; Ervin and Gloria Litwiller, Cumberland, Wisconsin; Virgil and Andree’ Litwiller, Murray, Kentucky; father-in-law, Ardis Litwiller, Ithaca, Michigan; Gaila’s siblings: Raymond and Gladys Litwiller, Buhl, Idaho; Carol Litwiller, Perrinton, Michigan; Carol and Paul Schultz, Ithaca, Michigan; Kendell Litwiller, Ithaca, Michigan; Bonnetta and Abe Loewen, Glenn, California; Phyllis and Jon Schmidt, Middleton, Michigan; as well as many friends and relatives.

Preceding him in death are his parents; mother-in-law, Rosalie Litwiller; three brothers-in-law: Maynard Wiebe, Howard Helms, and Ron Litwiller; two sisters-in-law: Bev Litwiller and Beth Litwiller; one nephew, Anthony Schmidt.

Funeral services will be held at the Newark Mennonite Church, Ithaca, Michigan, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. with ministers Michael Litwiller, Darin Litwiller, Steve Koehn, and Keith Litwiller officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M. and 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the church. He will be laid to rest in the Hayes Road Cemetery, Ithaca, Michigan.

Those desiring may make contributions in Van’s memory to the Ann Arbor Mennonite Guest House 2000 Dhu Varren Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.