Henry R. “Hank” Van Hovel, age 77, of Munith, MI, passed away peacefully at his home in Henrietta Township on October 23, 2025.
Hank was born on November 7, 1947, in Detroit, MI, the son of Henry and Catherine (Purpura) Van Hovel. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970, earning a Purple Heart. Following his active duty, he continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves for an additional four years.
After his military service, Hank worked for Great Lakes Steel for 30 years, retiring as Maintenance Supervisor. He lived in Allen Park for many years before moving to the Munith area in 1997.
On November 19, 1997, he married Carolyn Cooke in Toledo, Ohio. Hank was a man who loved to keep busy—he could always be found tinkering on his old cars or working on a project in his garage. His greatest pride was his 1947 Mercury Coupe. He was also a member of the Richard F. Smith American Legion Post 29 in Jackson, MI.
Hank is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Cheryl (Edward) Thomas of Newberry, MI, and Michael (Lisa) Van Hovel of Allen Park; stepchildren, Lori (Michael Gearhart) Cooke-Gearhart of Temperance, MI, and Shelley (David) Sitar of Worthington, IN; seven grandchildren; his sister, Charlene Hachey; and the mother of his children, Mary Sue Plotzke of Armada, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held at the Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., and again on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta Township, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard F. Smith American Legion Post 29 in Jackson, MI.
Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge, MI.
Henry R. "Hank" Van Hovel
