Glenn Russell Vliet, Sr., age 80, of Dansville, MI, passed away at his home on October 25, 2022 surrounded by his family. He was born the son of Ira and Nellie (Smith) Vliet on October 28, 1941, in Dearborn, MI. On August 12, 1961, he married his love, Caroline Ann Cosgray.
Glenn enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and just nature in general. In his younger years he hunted big game like elk, caribou, moose, bear, and whitetail deer, as well as flying into Canada fishing with the guys. As he got older, he found great joy and peace in just watching and feeding them more than hunting.
He traveled all over the United States building churches. He was a mason contractor, builder, and restaurateur. Driving around Michigan you can see many of his homes and buildings. He always was the visionary and delegated the details first to his wife, Caroline, then to the rest of the family. He ran a crew all his life, and in his later years his “crew” became his grandkids and great-grandkids, doing many projects with them. He loved his family and his dog, Luke, who is always included in the gatherings.
The Old Homestead Restaurant was the main gathering for 20+ years of his life. He flipped eggs with his trowel and enjoyed cooking for others. He organized and fed almost all his hunting and fishing trips with friends and family. He was so talented in campfire cooking and fed so many people. Family and adventures were his priorities in life. He was never afraid to do or start anything. We later learned he could only be that way because of the wife and family he had. We would always jump in and help, but he made everything happen.
He was kind, strong, funny, and wise. He has touched so many lives and arranged so many family gatherings that there are too many to mention, from sledding and ice-skating parties, birthdays, Thanksgivings, hunting and fishing trips, family reunions, and so much more. He was the leader of our pack, and he led us well. We will miss and love our memories forever.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Theresa (Isiah) Hickey, Glenn (Susan) Vliet Jr, Randy Vliet, Jennifer (Roger Sr.) Bouck, and Juli (Jeremiah) Crafton; 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. from the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home in Stockbridge. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Dansville. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.
Following the graveside service, there will be a luncheon at the Sts. James, Cornelius & Cyprian Church, 1320 Catholic Church Rd., Leslie, MI 49251.
