CHARLOTTE, Mich. – Dr. Douglas P. Vanator, 79, Olivet, died Jan. 6, 2016. He was born June 1, 1936, in Warsaw, to Robert and Mary Parker Vanator. For 57 years he was married to Marie, who survives. He received Christ as his personal savior at 8 years of age and was very active in his church. He ministered to others as a Gideon for more than 40 years. He served in the Indiana National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, starting in his high school years. He was a small-town doctor who served his patients as if they were his own family. He moved to Olivet in 1964 and opened his medical practice where he worked until retirement in 2007. It was his desire to be a doctor in the office and a friend on the street. He supported his local community and was always interested in working to find a solution for a problem. He was a long-time Rotary member who was famous as the chairman of the annual walleye fish fry. He graduated from high school in Claypool in a graduating class of 11 people. His was the first generation in his family to leave the farm and attend college. He strongly believed in education and what could be achieved, using his own life as an example to inspire others. He graduated from Manchester College, taught high school sciences and math for one year in Akron, and then attended Chicago Osteopathic School of Medicine and received his medical degree in 1963. His wife, Marie, is a registered nurse and worked to put him through medical school. As a professional, he served as chief of staff, chief of surgery and chief of OB at Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital in Charlotte, was on staff at Lansing General, and was an assistant clinical professor at Michigan State University Osteopathic College of Medicine. As a doctor, his favorite thing was delivering babies. He also served as a FAA medical examiner and Eaton County Medical Examiner. After his retirement in 2007, he went on three medical mission trips to Mexico. He was never far from his roots growing up on the farm. He was as comfortable on a tractor as he was with his stethoscope. He enjoyed the outdoors. It was not unusual in his early years to fly his Cherokee Six as an air ambulance and later flying his Lance airplane out west or into Canada with his friends and family to hunt or fish. He had a gift for fixing things, learning from growing up on a farm. Also surviving are four children: Carolyn (and spouse Larry) Wehr, Jim (and spouse Lori) Vanator, John Vanator, and Cathy (and Brian) Kelenske; a brother, Gordon Vanator; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a nephew. He was preceded in death by a son, Charles Vanator; a daughter-in-law, Heidi Vanator; and two grandchildren, Guy and Jordan Vanator. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Charlotte, with Pastor Steve Byrens officiating. Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. today and 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home. ***** Memorials to First Baptist Church of Charlotte or City On A Hill Church in Olivet. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Doug on his tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com
