Date of Death: September 14, 2019
Service Details
The family will hold services at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20th, 2019 at the Edwards Corners Bible Church, 51047 Chamberlain Rd, Marcellus, MI 49067 with Pastor Josh Wiggins officiating. Interment will be held at Hope Cemetery, 8501 S. 8th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.
Obituary Notice
Donald Lamar Rentfrow, age 74, of Portage, MI., went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 14, 2019. Don was born on October 29th, 1944 in Elkhart, IN., to the late Lyle Lamar and Marguerite (Rumsey) Rentfrow. Don was also preceded in death by one daughter Theresa in 1964 and one brother David Rentfrow.
Don leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife of 55 years, Sandra (Dock) Rentfrow, whom he married on Dec. 7th, 1963; three children, Tim (Mindy Starks) Rentfrow, Jennifer (Kevin) Mick, and Amanda (Scott) Herron; three beloved grandchildren, Samantha Herron, Alexandra and Hillary Rentfrow; one sister, Ellen (Jeff) Thrasher, of Milton, FL.; three brothers, Larry (Anita) of Edwardsburg, Richard “Dick” (Elaine), of Three Rivers, and James “Jim” (Joyce) of Three Rivers.
Don attended Pleasant Hill grade school and graduated from Constantine High School in 1962. Don and Sandy have been faithful members of Edwards Corners Bible Church. Don was an electrical contractor and owned and operated Rentfrow Electric since 1973 while being an avid farmer, raising hogs, growing popcorn for the Elias Brothers restaurants, and servicing the Pontiac Silverdome. Don’s most recent years were spent working as an Electrical Inspector for multiple townships in Southwest Michigan.
He enjoyed being the family cook, fishing, hunting, following professional and college football, NHRA drag racing, Bible studies, and enjoyed listening to country music. One of Don’s greatest joys was spending time with his family for holidays, birthday gatherings, and of course the Super Bowl. In addition, he loved taking care of his wife and children, was a terrific provider, a great Dad, and wonderful friend.
Additional Information
Memorials may be donated to Elara Caring Hospice, Kalamazoo, MI. or Edwards Corners Bible Church. Envelopes will be available at the Hohner Funeral Home in care of Mr. Rentfrow’s arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Amanda, Scott and Sam
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father, father-in-law and grandpa. I remember meeting him at Sam;s birthday party. I pleasant person and showed his love to his family in all in did. I know how much he will be missed. Now he will be watching over the ones he loved so dearly. Thoughts and prayers all your family.
Thinking of you all, Michelle Jackson
Dear Sandy and Family,
My heart aches for you, Sandy, in this great loss of your dear husband. One of my fondest memories of him is when he would be standing at the elevator door waiting for it to open to see you there. When it was just someone else, he was always sweet but we knew he was just waiting for “the One”. You will be in prayers for comfort, Sandy as you grieve this great loss.
Dearest Sandy my thoughts and prayers are with you may the wonderful memories of your husband help you through your sadness. God Bless
Dear Sandy and Family,
My sympathy and prayers are with you . Know that in the days and weeks ahead, as you live into your loss , my prayers will be with you.
Blessings,
Sr. Sandy Melanson csj
Sandy and family Fon was a inspiration to watch he was such a giving and loving man it was a honor to know him he will be greatly missed . My prayers are with each of you ? God Bless Patricia Misel
Dearest Sandy and family, although I did not know Don personally I know him from waiting to pick up Sandy at Nazareth. I would talk to him almost every morning as he patiently waited to lovingly carry anything out to the car for her. He was an inspiration to me. I’ve never seen such devotion. You will all be in my prayers.
Joann Hudson from Nazareth
As Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth we were all enriched by Don.
Often in the mornings especially when he would join us in having a cup of coffee while waiting for his wife Sandy who has been a member of our devoted nursing staff since 2012. Yes, all the seasons of the yr… patiently and lovingly waited to pick Sandy up from her evening nurse shift at Nazareth. He loved life and we loved to hear about how he loved family.
We hold Sandy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
We are sending our deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort to the Rentfrow family. We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Tim, Jennifer, Amanda & Sandy,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s and husband’s passing. I fondly remember all of you in my classes. God bless you all
Teresa & John Alger (Miss Lepianka)
Miss Lepianka, as you will always be known to us! We were just talking about you a few weeks ago and all of our fond memories each of us have about you. I still remember the special times we were allowed to get a treat out of the treat jar. Thank you so much for reaching out to us.
Sincerely,
Amanda
I too remember you from IC school. My Uncle Don is at peace.
As the old hymn says “When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory!”. We rejoice and give a shout of praise that you have run the race and fought the good fight of faith and have attained the ultimate victory and are now with Jesus, your Lord and Savior. Someday we shall meet again in heaven and will sing those praises together.
I was blessed to know Don through my dear friend Amanda, Don’s daughter. He was such a warm and caring person and I will forever hold dear the memories I have of him. Sending my condolences to Don’s family and friends.
We are so saddened by Cousin Don’s death. He was a very good man in all facets of his life and will be so very much missed by so many. May God grant peace and comfort to all who grieve. We love you!
Roger and Sharon Rumsey
Thoughts and prayers for a special and unique man….
A Great Dad – Provider – Friend
A product of his down to earth, farmers childhood Dads work ethic and expression of love toward his family was a continuous expression of the American dream to serve God, Family, Country. To understand the relationship with my Dad is best done with the following scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1 – As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
I can say from a young age, my heart was knit to my Dad with the desire to follow him as an excellent example of a Godly man, loving father and in my adult years a sage friend.
My Dad, will always to me; a larger than life, tall, strong, smart, creative, dynamic, outgoing and upbeat personality; delivering an overwhelming sense of purpose and hope.
The influence and expression, upon my life by my Dad is best expressed as the Fruits of the Spirit, which is to say; My Dad was an outstanding expression upon my life and others of Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Dad, I love you and will miss you until we meet again in Heaven.
Blessings and Honor,
Love Tim Rentfrow
9/15/19
1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
Tim, so sorry for your loss. My high school memories of hanging out at your house are forever entrenched in my mind. I will never forget the generosity of your parents allowing us punks to have so much fun at there expense. God speed my friend. Bill Henschel