Vanderlaan honored for 50 years of mortuary service.

Howard Vanderlaan, right, receives the award from Randy Wyman.

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DETROIT — Howard Vanderlaan was honored by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association for 50 years of licensure in mortuary science at its recent gathering of members in Detroit.  Howard was licensed by the State of Michigan in 1966 and moved to Scottville to begin his career in funeral service.  Howard began working for Lloyd Stephens at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville while also operating the Gambles Hardware Store in downtown Scottville for many years.  He later worked for Bud and David Dorrell at Dorrell Funeral Home in Ludington and Cook Funeral Homes in Ionia.  

He returned to Scottville in 1999 and has been affiliated with Wyman Funeral & Cremation Services – Stephens Funeral Home ever since.  Howard has also assisted other funeral directors throughout the state during this time as well.  

“Howard and his wife Betty have been valued members of our staff since they returned to Scottville in 1999,” said Randy Wyman, owner of Stephens Funeral Home.  “Howard’s vast experience and expertise in funeral service are tremendous assets for me and our firm. It was my honor to present Howard with his award this year for his commitment to our community and to funeral service as a whole.”

Howard will continue to help out another funeral director, as Brad King of King Funeral Home in Hart is in need for a license for his funeral home in Ludington due to a recent death.  “I’m glad that our firm and Howard will be able to assist Brad with proper licensing,” said Wyman.  “Brad, Howard, and I have been friends for many years.  Brad is in an unfortunate circumstance and Howard will be able to assist him while still maintaining his affiliation with our firm in Scottville.”

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve families throughout Mason County for 50 years,” said Vanderlaan.  “God called me into funeral service to assist families in need during their most difficult of times, and I humbly listened to his call.  Being a member of Scottville and the Mason County area has been a blessing.  I am grateful to my peers for honoring me and glad I can continue to help out a friend.”