A Clark Lake legend has passed away. Lynn Vermeulen, recently under hospice care, departed Thursday afternoon, September 5th, at 3:48 pm. In his last days, he told those around him that he intended to make it to his 80th birthday. He succeeded.
Lynn was known far and wide as the owner of Vermeulen Furniture and several Lazy Boy stores in the state of Michigan. And at Clark Lake? To those growing up here, Lynn was a waterski hero. Many can remember his endless practice runs through the slalom course, as he was towed behind his parent’s Chris Craft, expertly driven by his mother, Helen. His outstanding athleticism and dedication led to winning countless tournaments and receiving accolades all over the world. He also mentored his twin sisters Linda and Kay. To read about Kay’s incredible waterski journey, please click here.
In addition to outstanding slalom performances, Lynn’s trick run was hard to beat.
A member of the Michigan Water Ski Hall of Fame, Lynn was always on hand to congratulate new inductees. Lynn is shown here with Jon Broderick at the time Jon was inducted.
Lynn never left undone interesting challenges. He was an ardent Fleet 58 sailor. Lynn was a consistent top competitor at a time when Clark Lake’s Fleet 58 had more Hobies than any other U.S. inland lake.
How did Lynn do in the Fleet 58 Reunion and Regatta in 2014? Click here for more.
His friends will also tell you he was an avid outdoorsman, whether that took him bear hunting in Canada or on fishing expeditions on the Great Lakes.
Mike McKay and Lynn
Lynn lost his wife, Patty Bisbee, in April 2022. He was father to Maggie and Nate, who survive him. Nate now operates the businesses. The photo below is from the Vermeulen website.
Lynn, and son, Nate.
Thursday evening, neighbors in their cove lowered flags to half-mast, and lit up the shoreline with luminaries, on loan from Raft-O-Rama. Here’s a view from the lake.
Details associated with Lynn’s passing will be forthcoming, as well as an expanded exploration of Lynn Vermeulen’s life.
It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the Clark Lake community. Lynn will be missed. Condolences to all.
My thoughts and prayers to The Vermeulen family
Lynn and I were best of friends for over 60 years. His many accomplishments will not be forgotten. I have and always will cherish the friendship we enjoyed over many adventures together. He was just the best and I will miss him terribly.
God Bless his Soul.
Lynn was a nice guy that I have known, since he went to school with my older sister in the 50s!
Condolences to the family.
Lots of memories of Fleet 58…Lynn will be truly missed..thoughts and prayers for the family!
What a great guy I have many good memories of sailing fleet 58 with him.
Dear Nate and Maggie,
We are so truly saddened by this news!
You couldn’t meet a finer gentleman, who always did his level best to serve his community.
We will see him again in Paradise.
Sincerely,
Johnny and Dotty
Wonderful man
Will be missed
Spending time sailing with Lynn on Clarklake and lake Michigan was an honor. Lynn was a very special man to know growing up. My regards to his family.
I am the other “sofa” boy. My family owned “The Jury Rowe Co.” Neighboring furniture stores in downtown Jackson.
We lived out in stonewall Rd area and rode the schl bus to JHS many a day.
Probably the most genuinely well liked man I ever met.
Hard to find in any decade.
Lynn WILL rest in peace.
This is such sad news. As we said our goodbyes to Ann Swain at her memorial yesterday, we lost another super Clark Lake individual.
Lynn will certainly be miss here at the lake and beyond. May God watch over Nate and Maggie during this very sad time.
So sorry to hear of another loss of a long time Clark Laker. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Mr Vermeulen
Had many good times with Lynn and family in Cancun. He pushed me to the limit’s snorkeling a couple of times. Felt lucky I didn’t drown. Please have a shot of Tequila Herradura in his honor. He will be missed by all lucky enough to know him.
MY HERO. And an all-state swimmer for legendary Coach Willard Cooley.
Lynn was just absolutely the “best “. I feel very lucky to have known him as I’m sure many others feel the same. He will be missed by all RIP friend.
So sorry to hear!! Prayers to the family and friends of Lynn! 🙏
so many memories with this very gentle man. we were all blessed to have him in our lives. Fly high, my friend!
Honored to have shared the pickelball court countless times with Lynn!
Lynn was a warrior on the court and a complete gentleman off the court.
RIP my paddleball friend!
A close friend in my youth, and a lifelong friend via JHS reunions and communications. Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with he & Patty during one of the reunion weekends.
I also enjoy the distinction of being with Lynn during one of his very few water failures: After high school graduation, Lynn convinced me to go late-night river frog gigging. As we pushed away from the bank in a canoe, we ducked under overhanging branches, but each of us leaned left at the same time . . . overturning the canoe. Soaked to the bone, we each drove home, changed clothes, drove back, and successfully re-entered the stream after midnight in search of the frogs. We joked about that outing for years.
RIP my friend.
I learned of Lynn’s passing today. Rest in Peace my friend. My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family on both sides of life. Passing from this world to the next is probably a lot like entering through the gates of a different slalom course with a different slalom ball pattern and a better chief judge. Thank you for being my friend Lynn. I’ll be along to drive for you soon enough.
Dear Maggie and family I am so sorry about your Dad’s passing he was a great man always checking on us girls and had a happy Spirit about him he will be greatly missed there is another angel in heaven God bless you and your family Kimberly leiker and Bob my dad ♥️♥️♥️
So sorry to hear of Lynn’s passing. He was a legend in our Clarklake community and will be sadly missed by all his lake neighbors.
RIP friend.
Lynn
So good to be around Lynn I left Jackson but have stayed in touch through college, Lynn was in my wedding party, and when I came to Jackson he would come see me. A truly special person. He will be dearly missed
So many fond memories of growing up with Lynn. Such fun at Clark Lake water skiing every summer. He was one of my favorites and I am so sad to hear of his death. I wish I had spent more time with him in our later lives. May Lynn RIP