Blaine Van Liew, age 82, of Brohman, passed away on Friday, December 23, 2016, at his home with his family by his side after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Blaine was born on August 7, 1934, in Crawford, Michigan, to Arthur and Clarabel Van Liew, the third of four children. Blaine spent his early years farming before establishing a career with Tupes of Saginaw as a bull-work mechanic. Blaine married Delores Irene Arriaga on October 29, 1955, in Saginaw and together Blaine and Delores purchased a general store and gas station in 1971, in Brohman and settled in the area permanently. Over the next 40 years, Blaine and Delores opened two restaurants and also worked as subcontractors for Fed-EX Custom Critical. Blaine was known for his generosity and his skill with just about anything mechanical, not to mention his not-to-be-forgotten hash browns.

Blaine leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Delores; children, Cheryl (Glenn) Ackerman of Warrenton, Georgia, Cathy (Philip) Baumgartner of Brohman, Tina (Marshall) Benjamin of Brohman, and Joseph (Stacey Snowden) Van Liew of Laughlin, Nevada; sister, Helen (John) Wizensky of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Nicole Ackerman, Eric Ackerman, Joshua Baumgartner, Jerimiah Baumgartner, Catherine Lusk, Kristy (Jon) Withrow, Asa Van Liew, Coty Van Liew, Joseph Van Liew, Tylor Van Liew, and Balana Van Liew; great-grandchildren, Alexzander Miller, Morgan Miller, Garrett Miller, Destiny Ackerman, Desiray Ackerman, Anthony Ackerman, Rebeca VanZalen, Angel Baumgartner, Audri VanDyke, Jordan Baumgartner, William Baumgartner, Raelin Baumgartner, Natalia Baumgartner, Dominic Withrow, and Elizabeth Withrow; a soon-to-be great great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Blaine was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Maxwell; mother, Clarabel (Bugbee); brother, Murray Van Liew; and sister, Barbara Sharp.

Services will be held at 4 PM, on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at the Crandell Funeral Home in White Cloud. There will be a time for visitation at the funeral home from 2 – 4 PM prior to the service. Following the service all are welcome to join the family for fellowship and refreshments at the Merrill Township Hall on 11 Mile Road. For a more lasting memorial, friends are asked to consider Spectrum Health Hospice and Palliative Care. Friends may share memories and condolences online at www.crandellfh.com

Visitation

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

White Cloud Chapel 1109 E Court Street White Cloud, Michigan 49349

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 4:00 PM

White Cloud Chapel 1109 E Court Street White Cloud, Michigan 49349

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:00 PM

Merrill Township Hall 1585 W 11 Mile Rd. Bitley, Michigan 49309