Virgil LaMar Leatherman

Virgil LaMar Leatherman, age 82 of Hudsonville, MI, went to be with his Lord and Savior September 20, 2025. Virgil was born January 22, 1943 in Sturgis, MI to Joseph and Marjorie (Brouse) Leatherman. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1961 before earning a BA from Anderson College in Anderson, IN in 1966. He moved to Union City, MI in 1966 to begin his career in education. In 1970, he moved to Flint, MI and got his master’s degree from Eastern MI University through the Mott Foundation. During his time at Anderson College, Virgil met the love of his life, Janet Lee (Shackleton). They married June 5, l965 in Cornell, WI and were blessed with three wonderful children - Scott, Lori, and Julie. Their nine grandchildren were the light of his life: Amber, Ben, Ian, Amy, Jacob, Daniel, Justin, Jennifer, and Abbie.

Virgil had a rewarding career in education. He moved to Grandville, MI in 1971 and was employed by Grandville Public Schools until his retirement in 2001. During that time, he held several positions which included community school director, where he started the adult and community education classes. He was director of operations which included food services, transportation, and maintenance. He was in charge of Grandville’s swimming program and he started the preschool program. He served on the city planning commissions board in Grandville and Hudsonville and served on the board at Elmwood Lake condos in Hudsonville where he and Janet have resided since moving there in 2006.

Virgil was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will be deeply missed by his family. Virgil loved the Lord and was a faithful servant of his Lord and Savior all his life. He was an active member of Faith United Church of God and served in many leadership roles. Virgil loved to participate in sports and enjoyed playing basketball, racquetball, football, swimming, water skiing, and running. He had many happy memories as a child and into his adult years at the family cottage at Fish Lake in southern Michigan. In his retirement years, Virgil and Janet enjoyed many trips including Hawaii and Alaska with their traveling buddies, Ron and Ruth Denniston.

Virgil is survived by Janet Lee, his loving wife of 60 years; children Scott Allen (Sara) Leatherman of Fishers, IN, Lori Lee (Mark) VanHarmelen of Hudsonville, MI, Julie Lynn (James) Williams of Zeeland, MI; grandchildren Amber Lynne VanHarmelen of Williamston, MI, Benjamin Joseph (Maddi) Leatherman of Fishers, IN, Ian Edward (Paige) Leatherman of Fishers, IN, Amy Elizabeth Leatherman of Fishers, IN, Jacob Alan VanHarmelen of Bismarck, ND, Daniel John (Breanna) VanHarmelen of Portage, MI, Justin Daniel Williams of Zeeland, MI, Jennifer Kenia Williams of Zeeland, MI and Abigail Lee VanHarmelen of Hudsonville, MI; brother, Duane (Linnea) Leatherman of Indianapolis; sister, Marcia Wiard of Sturgis, MI; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Denniston of Hudsonville, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Marjorie Leatherman; in-laws Benjamin Lee and Margaret (Burnett) Shackleton; brothers-in-law Ronald Martin Denniston, Benjamin Alan Shackleton, and Richard Wiard; sister-in-law, Jan Shackleton; aunts Linda Benton, Thelma Denniston, Faye Noffsinger; and grandmother, Rachael Brouse.

Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, Michigan, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Virgil, contributions may be made to Faith Hospice. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.