Sandi Kay Vollmer

Sandra Kay (Heukels) Vollmer, age 77, was placed in the hands of our Lord on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.  Sandi was preceded in death by her son, Sgt. Chad J. Vollmer, parents, Marvin and Doris (Williams) Heukels, sisters Susan (Heukels) Groom and Bonnie (Heukels) Millering and brothers Kurt and Kent Heukels.

In addition, are deceased family members, Joseph Vollmer and Anne (Vollmer) Price and surviving members Evelyn (Vollmer) Miller and Don Miller and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Surviving Sandi is her loving daughter, Heather, son in law, Ben DeHaan and former husband, Terry Vollmer.

Sandi during her life became that person that most people never truly experience and that is being a “true friend”.  Her connection with people and her dedication to always being there for anyone that she came in contact with during her life is a tribute to her legacy.

She enjoyed interacting with people and it served her well in life, especially in the small family owned neighborhood businesses where she was employed, befriending many in the community..

Sandi during her life had the opportunity to experience the love of family and being able to enjoy all the things that come from raising a family and having a number of pets (dogs) that also became part of the family.

She let her son, Chad, and daughter, Heather, experience life as children, become young adults and then adults encountering all those things that made them who they are today.

Chad growing up had a keen interest in military service which stemmed from his early days serving in the ROTC high school program and then in the Michigan National Guard which provided Sandi with the opportunity to make many new like-minded friends.  Sandi, at Chad’s request, attended many memorial funerals of those military people from Western Michigan that lost their lives in the service of their country.

There was always the thought that Chad during his deployment outside of the United States placed him in harm’s way for becoming one of those that gave their fullest measure of devotion to their country and unfortunately that became a reality on December 23, 2006.

Sandi, as a Gold Star parent, became a member of the Patriot Guard and stood in many of their funeral flag lines in expression of her dedication of remembrance for Chad and for all those that followed that fateful expression of service to this country.

In her dedication to the Patriot Guard she encountered many like minded men and women who understood the need to support the military and Never Ever Forget remembering those that paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military.

It was in this dedication to that cause that Sandi attended many of the Patriot Guard Welcome Home flag lines at the Grand Rapids Airport and attendance at all the Freedom Cruise, Finish the Mission, events since their inception.

Her recognition through attendance at the Freedom Cruise events did not go unnoticed and as a result her son, Sgt. Chad J. Vollmer, became the honored recipient of the 2019 Freedom Cruise remembrance ceremony at Sparta High School.

As a Gold Star parent, Sandi believed in the demonstration of “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” which is an honor to those in the military, such as Chad, who gave their lives to protect our freedoms.

The family will greet friends and family at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Cascade on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and an hour (10:00am) before the funeral service on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 starting at 11:00am.

Memorial contributions in Sandi’s memory may be made to the Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund.

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