In Memory of Steve Vander Ziel
husband, father, founder, mentor, and friend
It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our husband, father, founder, and boss Steve Vander Ziel. In this we trust God has a plan even though we don’t see it now and may never understand. He died doing the thing he had grown to love in his later years, driving his John Deere tractor.
Please be patient with us as we grieve and carry forward. He guided us well for this event, but we still have big shoes to fill. He will be missed desperately.
Legacy & Values
For those who may not know, Steve was our namesake at Vander Ziel Machinery. He founded the company after buying a package of machinery for the farm. He kept a few items and sold the rest. He was a man who believed deeply in getting his hands dirty and leading by example; he built the business on the Christian values of honesty, integrity, and respect.
Steve had a gift for planning not just to step two or three but usually to step ten or fifteen. Our family has surrounded his vision and been involved in the business since the beginning. Still to this day, the family is very involved in everyday operations.
As many may know, in his later years Steve used his engineering mind to restore old tractors—in his mind, the older the better. He would reverse engineer parts even when he didn’t have the original. His ingenuity and ability to solve a problem brought Vander Ziel Machinery to where we are today.
Thank you for your patience and continued support in business over the years. Serving our customers is what drives us and what we will continue to do. We appreciate you!
With Sadness,
The Vander Ziel Family
Arrangements & Details
Visitation: Held at “The Barn” 12166 52nd St. Lowell, MI 49331
Funeral Service: Northpointe Christian, 3101 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
- NorthPointe Christian Schools (NPC Foundation in memory of Steve Vander Ziel), Grand Rapids, MI
- Lowell Township (Steve Vander Ziel Family Endowment Fund), Lowell, MI
Steve Vander Ziel
Founder of Vander Ziel Machinery Sales
Community Memories & Tributes
Stories, condolences, and memories shared by friends, customers, and business associates from the machinery and tractor community.
Steve was an amazing friend and driving force in the antique tractor collecting community. I enjoyed all the times we spoke on the phone and the times we met up with each other at auctions, his home or my farm on Long Island, NY. He will be terribly missed by myself and fellow friends. My heart goes out to his wonderful family. May he rest in peace. The world needs more people like Steve.
Steve was one of my best friends in the tractor collecting community. A kinder and more generous guy could not be found. So many projects and parts we worked on and he never would take anything for any of it – ever. Our big joke was slipping money into each other's pocket trying to pay each other back for things. Sometimes it would get passed back and forth several times a day! If I ever needed help, he was there. Always. He was also a friend outside of our hobby and we spent many hours talking about business, family and politics. I will miss my friend terribly but I know it will never be as much as his family does. He was so very proud of all of them. He spoke of that often. Seeing them take over the business and the manner in which it was happening was a great source of pride for him. Prayers of peace and comfort for the entire family. My heart aches for you.
Steve was a friend and business associate and even partner for over 25 years. I always admired his straightforward approach and you always knew where things were with him as well as that things would be done with the utmost of integrity and honesty. He was one of my favorite people ever to deal with. We also had close ties with family and with school. He would do anything he could for people, a truly great heart. He was going to show my friend who was going to work in missions in Africa how to weld so he could take that trade with him. Steve was going to take his own time and instruct him, that's just how he was. My favorite Steve story was when we went to a fancy restaurant downtown GR and I introduced him to some new business partners. Well, fancy wasn't really Steves thing and when the Valet took his truck keys he looked at me and said 'Scott, I don't give my truck keys to anyone ever!' and while ordering the meal he ordered mash potatoes and gravy and when they said they didn't have gravy he asked 'What kind of a place doesn't serve gravy with mashed potatoes'. I loved his directness.
To the entire Vander Ziel family; We are so, so sorry to hear this shocking news. Steve was such a great guy and we enjoyed knowing him personally and professionally. We will miss seeing him at church and working with him for our used equipment needs. He was very generous and I will miss his big smile and strong, firm handshake. Your family will be in our prayers as you grieve his loss.
I am speechless.. with my business just across the street I was fortunate to meet Steve (and family) almost a decade ago. To say a startup business has its challenges is usually an understatement. Steve made our early years better than I expected with his help and graciousness. He was a shining example of a good man that would always be there to assist if needed. He would never ask for anything in return almost to a point of being unfair. His family makes you feel like family when you visit the shop. Steve you will be missed.
I'm so sorry to hear of Steve's passing, yet, I'm thrilled for him. Since he knew Jesus as his Savior, we know that he immediately passed from death to Life everlasting in the Presence of his Savior. I'm praying for you, his family and friends, to find comfort in this same Savior, Jesus Christ. 'We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope.' 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
He will be missed sincerely I've moved and delivered a lot of machinery for him as well!! Wonderful man!! So sorry for you and the family!! God bless !!
To Andy, and the rest of the Family. We at Republic Lagun Machine Tool Company extend our sincere condolences for your loss. We enjoyed meeting Steve and Andy a few years ago at your facilities. Both Steve and Andy were kind and hospitable and we returned home feeling we had made new friends. We share your feelings of loss and wish you all the best.
With every post we read through our tear-filled eyes, the more we realize that Steve left behind such an amazing legacy. He is being remembered as a genuine, kind-hearted man that built his life and business around those same moral values. He is being remembered exactly as he wanted to be. That makes our hearts so happy. Steve and Joan, you guys are some of our best friends. We love you more than you could ever know.
Steve has been a very good friend of mine for many, many years. I met Steve at an auction back in the days when he just had an old pickup and a rickety old trailer to haul machinery with. We helped each other load our purchases from that sale, and really hit it off. I would see Steve at most of the auctions I went to, but as his business picked up, there just was not enough of him to go around, so He asked me if I would be interested in some part time work, and I gladly accepted. I traveled all over the country buying machinery at auctions, making some appraisals, and sometimes delivering machines, or hauling loads back from auctions, and Steve always took very good care of me. When ever I needed a machine for myself, Steve would cut me an incredible deal, even if I had no money to put down, Steve would just say, 'give me what you can, when you can', with no time line, all with just a hand shake. I have never known anyone more sincere, honest, and respectful, and confident as Steve. Loosing my good friend will truly be like loosing a family member.
Steve made a huge impact in the West Michigan community. If you would like to share a story or encouragement, please reach out to us via our Contact Page.