Date of Death: October 17, 2025
Service Details
His family will receive friends Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 645 S. Douglas Ave., Three Rivers, with Fr. Arul Lazar officiating. He will be laid to rest in Harwood Lake Cemetery, near Corey Lake.
Obituary Notice
Steven Gerard Van Tassel, 73, of Portage and formerly of Corey Lake, passed away Friday, October 17, 2025 at Centrica Rose Arbor Place surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on August 4, 1952 in Ridgewood, N.J., the son of Harold and Laurie (McCawley) Van Tassel. He spent his childhood in Mt. Prospect, Palatine, and briefly Crystal Lake in Illinois. His beloved grandparents would visit often from nearby Skokie. The four grandkids were doted on by their grandparents, “Grandma Blanche” and Grandpa McCawley. When it came time for retirement, a house was designed by Grandpa McCawley (himself) with the grandkids in mind on Corey Lake in the 1960s.
Prior to that, the whole family cherished their time on the lake renting an assortment of cottages from the Wheelers on Big Corey.
Unfortunately not long after retirement while Grandpa McCawley went fishing, a passion both Grandpa & Steve shared, Grandpa succumbed to a heart attack while starting the old fashioned pull the cord engine, toppled into the lake and drowned.
Harold & Laurie Van Tassel had committed to making a move to New Jersey where Harry’s family resided. Steve’s father Harold was employed at Illinois Bell and he was given the opportunity to reunite with his family with the lure of a promotion and raise with NJ Bell/AT&T. It was a tough decision, but with four children to raise the decision seemed to be for the best. Although our parents offered Grandma Blanche an opportunity to join our family in NJ, she was sold on Corey Lake and declined.
Once Steve graduated high school, Grandma mentioned that she always wished she was able to go to college. Thus began Grandma & Steve’s great adventure: They both obtained their associate degrees at Glen Oaks Community College as well as their bachelor’s degrees at Nazareth College. He majored in gerontology and she in creative writing. Steve loved his grandma dearly and made the decision to reside with her until her death at 99 years old.
Steve’s family life was a loving one. Our parents provided us every opportunity to get to know our cousins in our father’s side in Ridgewood, NJ. There were 16 of us and we would visit our (step)grandfather Dolan every Sunday. We enjoyed family activities such as trips to the Jersey Shore, ice skating at Corey Lake, visits to Holland, Michigan, and going out to eat with Grandma & Grandpa McCawley. Steve’s parents, Harold & Laurie Van Tassel, were wonderful parents to all of us Van Tassel kids and we are grateful!
Steve was especially devout to his Catholic faith and often served in various capacities at Immaculate Conception. He was at times an altar server, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was especially known for wearing his religious medal daily, around his neck and blessing everyone in sight. He stated “All is forgiven” & possessed a loving attitude, remorseful for the times his temper would flare & apologize.
Vince & I (Vicki) particularly got to know him very well once Vicki became his legal guardian. Vince visited Steve 2-3 times a week at Bickford of Portage and Vicki would make a trip to see him every few months. Steve loved the folks at Portage and they loved him. He played Bingo, was a regular at Bible study, and prayed the Rosary often.
His humor was witty & wry. He would often brighten up everyone’s day with his quirky sense of humor.
Steve, although born with many handicaps, evolved to become an appreciative and genteel man. As he aged he often thanked me (Vicki) for helping him find a home in Bickford & the furnishings his brother-in-law, Bill, chose for his room there.
Vince, his younger brother, was a source of support. Steve would proudly announce that “This is my brother Vince.”
His younger sister Terry became our mother’s full-time caregiver as our mother coped & struggled with the effects of COPD. Laurie, our mother, passed recently on May 7, 2024 and we all attended her funeral. Steve had an opportunity to re-connect with Terry at this time. Steve loved all of us.
His great sense of humor, his walks into Three Rivers, his love of the teddy bear his aunt Jane gifted him at birth, and his devotion to his faith are all things that we will fondly remember about Steve. We are confident that he will be warmly welcomed into Heaven, happy to see his parents, grandparents, cousin Eddie that pre-deceased him, along with his aunts and uncles. We will never forget you Steve, you taught us to smile, laugh, and enjoy the simple things in life, and most of all forgive. Godspeed.
Steve was notorious for walking in and out of Three Rivers from Corey Lake, perhaps seven miles there and seven miles back. So many folks that lived at the lake would be so kind as to lend him a ride or join him in a meal. Thank you!
Remaining to cherish his memory are his sisters, Vicki (William A.) Van Tassel McGrath and Theresa Ann Van Tassel; brother, Vincent Albert Van Tassel (Diane); nephews and nieces, T.J. Van Tassel, Joseph Van Tassel, Dominick Van Tassel, London Van Tassel, Christine Victoria (Daniel) McGrath Sage, Heather Jean (Douglas) McGrath Milburn, and Allison Ann McGrath; great-niece, Violet Josephine Sage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; maternal grandparents, Albert Shinners McCawley and Blanche Helmholz McCawley; paternal grandparents, Adolph Van Tassel, (step) William Dolan and Elizabeth Sheehan Dolan; and a variety of aunts & uncles on both sides of the family.
Additional Information
Donations in Steven’s memory may be directed to YMCA Camp Eberhart. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church.
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We were neighbors on Point Road for many years. Steve was always very friendly and Laurie was a great friend too. After Steve stopped driving we would see him at Happy Landing or walking to or from Three Rivers and offer him a ride. I’m sorry that I missed the viewing opportunity Blessings to all of the family!
My husband and I would give Steve rides home. We were impressed that he would walk that far. Steve was always pleasant and appreciative. He liked our husky, who often was in the back seat. Our condolences to the family. Annette and Kurt Curtis
Dear Steve, What a blessing you were for your Grandma. On our travels you were so attentive to her. Speaking of travels, you brought such a sense of humor on the motor coach and through out the excursions. I felt your absence when you moved from Three Rivers, but now I know you are at peace in the company of your Lord you served so faithfully. You will be remembered fondly.
Janine English
Janine, thank you for your sweet comments. He had a keen wit and a unique sense of humor. He missed our grandmother immensely. I am sure he will be thrilled to see his family and his beloved Grandmother once more.
Steve, my brother, my friend, you are very much missed here on earth but I am sure those in Heaven are so happy you are re-united with them. Now that you are with God, please pray for us. Looking forward to seeing you again some day!