Clayton VanDrese

Clayton Joseph VanDrese, 90, of Gladstone passed away at home on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

Clayton was born September 2, 1932 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the son of Harry and Sadie (Delmont) VanDrese. He was united in marriage to Lois Sodergren on September 1, 1956 at the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Escanaba. He served his country proudly in the United States Army and is a Korean War Veteran.

Clayton spent 33 years in Flint working for Chevrolet Bus and Truck and was a member of the Flint Clown’s Club, participating in parades, benefits and charity events. Clayton and Lois moved to the Gladstone area in 1988 and have resided here ever since. He is a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock and enjoyed fishing and riding motorcycles.

Clayton is survived by his wife, Lois of Gladstone; children, Vicki (Bill) Julian of Clio, MI, Mark (Kim) VanDrese of Flint, MI, Kevin VanDrese of Whittemore, MI, Annette Cook of Flint, MI, Mary Fowler of Clio, MI and Janice (Tom) Smith of Clio, MI; five grandchildren; siblings, Ronald VanDresse of Wisconsin, Sharon (Alex) Sovey of Gwinn, Kenneth (Laurie) VanDrese of Escanaba, Shirley (Gene) Patek of Wisconsin, Cheryl (Larry) Pepin of Arizona, JoAnn Reynolds of Cornell and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law, Janice VanDrese, sister-in-law, Judy VanDrese and brother-in-law, Bill Reynolds.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Military Honors will be presented at 11:00. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock with Fr. Sebastian Chacko officiating, A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Clayton will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.