Terry “Doc” VanBrocklin

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died August 7, 2024

Gladstone, MI

Terry “Doc” VanBrocklin, age 77 of Gladstone passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay surrounded by his loving family.

Doc was born August 26, 1946, in Escanaba, MI, the son of John “Jack” and “Issy” Isabelle (Dionne) VanBrocklin. He attended and graduated from Gladstone Area Schools Class of 1964.

Doc was united in marriage to Alice Helman on August 24, 1968 at first Lutheran Church in Gladstone.

Doc’s passion was semi truck driving. From the age of 18 all the way up to 77 years old it was something he shared with his grandchildren. He was employed with Blondeau and North Country Truck Driving. Doc was vital in starting Chance for Kids in the Delta County area. He created a Soo Line Engine out of a lawnmower and had a few decorated train carts. He also drove for Tom’s wrecker for several years.

Doc was involved with hauling the plane to Delta County Veterans Memorial Park in Gladstone all the way from K.I. Sawyer. He was involved with the local Search and Rescue teams as well.

Doc was a family man and especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren. He loved inventing and building things in his garage. You never knew what he was going to create.

In addition to his wife Alice, Doc is survived by:

Children: David (Tamara) Van Brocklin, Daniel “Chuck” (Lindsay) VanBrocklin, Debbie (Jon) Golzynski and Amy (Chris) Carlson

Siblings: John “Crocky” (Carol) VanBrocklin, Dan “Smokey” (Sue) VanBrocklin, Rod (Kay) VanBrocklin, Bob (Kathy) VanBrocklin and Sandy (John) Beggs

14 Grandchildren: Tony, Kylie, Lauren, Caitlin, Cody, Toni, Darren, Madilyn, Carly, Charlee, Jackson, Alex, Erynn, Mason

8 Great Grandchildren: Raylie, Nash, Kaylee, Arayna, Ryan, Ellianna, Kaden, Saylor

And numerous Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

In addition to his Parents, Doc is preceded in death by sisters, Gal and Sherry

Family will receive friends on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 2 until 5 PM at Grace Church in Gladstone. A funeral service will follow at 5:00 PM and a luncheon will take place in the fellowship hall. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the VanBrocklin family.

19 Tributes for “Terry “Doc” VanBrocklin”

    So sorry to hear about Doc’s passing. He was a great neighborhood. Always there to help with a smile on his face. North 17th gang will miss him. We lived across the street for six years. Doc and Alice were so kind to my daughter Penny
    Your family is in my prays.

    Great Man! Always had a smile. The story teller a jokester I knew. “Doc” I will miss you.

    Rest in Peace Sir!!

    We’ve lost a legend here on earth! so glad I had a visit with him last summer at A&M cafe. Doc, pulled out in a teal green KW , pullin AC doubles,,,, (sittin low in the cab),,, Tinman

    Sorry to hear about Doc. He is one of my farovite people in the world. I worked with his wife Alice at McDonalds and loved flirting with him and some other co-workers hubbies too. Alice who is also one of my farovite cousins. Thanks for letting me flirt with Doc. My heart goes out to you Alice and your family.

    Sorry to see you leave the party Doc , i truly enjoyed knowing and working with you. ” Keep on Truckin”

    Alice so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mark and I always looked forward to seeing you both at the Christmas party.He will be sadly missed.

    I want to express my sincere sympathy to the Van Brocklin Family.I worked with Doc over the years and while living in Escanaba ran together hauling coal and other materials.One of many memories I remember we were hauling material from Engadine back to Escanaba later in the day,Docs truck had more power and could have left me in the dust.But Doc being Doc would never leave you behind….He will be greatly miss by a lot of people that got to know him,,,,,Coal miner/ Unit #84

    Doc was jokester loved to make people laugh. Loved his family they always came first. I met Doc & Alice when drove for Blondeau trucking.
    So sorry to hear of his passing.
    Prayers for his family❤

    i am so touched that my daughter, great grand babies and grand daughters, had the chance to be part of this wonderful family, Ryan will miss sucker day, Doc thank u from the bottom of my heart for the love u gave to my family, And thank you for a wonderful son, that is my son in law, who has taken on your torch of loving my kids, rest in peace

    I wanted to be at his service today but had Dr. appointments at the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain. Us Bovins hung out with all the VanBrocklins. He was a fun guy to be around. Very personable.
    I remember his Soo Line Engine made out of a lawnmower with decorated train carts. We all thought It was so cool.
    God Bless he, Alice, & all the VanBrocklin family.

    Doc was a wonderful man and a Gladstone legend. I knew him since his younger days when he lived in Kipling and we played basketball in our neighbors yards. Whenever you ran into we always had that infection smile and great personality. The community and everyone that knew him are saddened by his loss .
    My condolences go out to his family.

    To Alice and all the VanBrocklin family, please accept my sincerest condolences. I only saw Terry (Doc) once since I left Gladstone in 1967, but I knew all his siblings and parents, and aunt and uncle since we moved there in 1955. My parents, Dana and Glenna, were good friends of Jack and Issy. I was glad to see Gal, and Issy for the last time in 2005 before she passed. Terry was a great guy, always smiling. He will be greatly missed. RIP Doc.

    My sincere condolences to Alice and all of the VanBrocklin family. I pray God will give you all the comfort and peace that only He can give to His childrenI will keep you all in my prayers.

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