Daniel J. DeLiefde

Daniel Jay “Danny” DeLiefde born April 8th 1958 passed away unexpectedly at his home in Grand Rapids.  Had Danny a few minutes to share his life experience with you, more than likely he might have expressed it to you this way:

Family and friends,

I loved my life and everyone in it.  Audrey, Lydia, and Gabriel, my deep love, affection and appreciation for loving me in the way that only a daughter and grandchildren such as yourselves could.  Our fishing trips together as a family, where if you caught a fish, we smiled, cleaned it, ate it and discussed the days catch over a cheery camp fire, were beyond special to me.  And the pride I felt with my daughter Audrey’s graduation from nursing school and the professional career that followed was so very special to me. I am also overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation as to how she managed her life and all of its challenges with grace and goodwill.  The same holds true for Lydia and Gabriel, both the lights of my life who brought pure joy and love to my life.  As a father, grandfather, brother and friend, my life was full of good fortune. What more could you hope for in this life of ours?  I greatly enjoyed my hobbies.  As for my gardening on that good piece of urban dirt and my bees, honey, deer, dogs and other critters living around the house, “thank you” for making me smile as I rambled around prepping the honey, heirloom tomatoes and crazy hot ghost peppers for my veggie stand in the driveway.  That little stand brought more friends together, new and old, as well an occasional IOU, small change, an unknown phone numbers here and there and a buck or two to spend on a good seasonal IPA.  As for the veggie stand items that went unclaimed, I loved cooking and canning them and passing them on as I could.  What would life be like without a fall stew pot simmer on the fire with home grown garden veggies and a good glass of wine while watching a Michigan game on TV.  My brother Bill, not the best judge of what constituted a great meal, as everything tasted good to him would refer to me as Chef Boyar Dan. I loved it.  And finally, the love and caring my family, friends and special furry companions gifted to me throughout my life and especially with my recent health challenges, I am eternally grateful to all of you.  I was a happy and contented guy through it all especially when sharing a story, long or short. I truly enjoyed sharing my experiences through life laughing and smiling through the journey I made. People have told me my laugh was unforgettable; if I could make a person laugh with my laughter, life was that much sweeter.  I do hope the way I lived my life was an expression of the love, appreciation, fun, laughter and good times that I was fortunate to share with all of you.  Find peace and joy in your lives as I did and when possible stop at a road side veggie stand and think of me as you leave a well- intentioned IOU.

Danny was predeceased in death by his parents, Dr. James and Barbara DeLiefde; sister, Janet Price; and brother, Donald.  He will be missed, but lovingly remembered by his daughter Audrey (Chris) Flores; grandchildren, Lydia and Gabriel; brother, Bill (Mary Helen) DeLiefde; sister, Diana (Konrad) Visser; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles; cousins and good friends.  Family will meet with relatives and friends for a time of visitation and fellowship on Monday August 12, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home. 

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