L.J. "Midge" Verplank

L.J. “Midge” Verplank, age 91 of Spring Lake, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, December 16, 2022. He was born on March 3, 1931, in Grand Haven, MI, to Vernon and Lydia (Secory) Verplank. 

Midge graduated from Grand Haven High School. He went on to Florida Southern and Kalamazoo College, before being drafted by the Army to serve our country. He returned in 1954 and went back to college at the University of Michigan where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA). He worked in Chicago selling bonds, but decided he would come back and join the family business, where he joined his father and uncles to help run the Verplank Coal and Ice Company, founded in 1908. It is now known as Verplank Family Holding Company, which consists of Verplank Trucking Co., Verplank Dock Co. and Asphalt Paving Inc.

Midge was proud to be working in his family business. He felt fortunate to be a fourth- generation Verplank living and working in the Tri-Cities. Eventually, Midge took over the leadership of Verplank Coal and Dock. For his entire business life, he partnered with his dear friend and brother, Gary Verplank, who preceded him in death in 2019. Over the next 50 years, Midge and Gary co-founded, or acquired with a few others, multiple businesses. Many of these companies are headquartered in the Tri-Cities area. Working together, their visions have a broad and global reach today. These businesses include: Shape Corp. (1974), Finish Corp. (1985), Light Corp. (1986), Track Corp (1993), BR Metals (1994), Pliant Plastics (1996), NetShape (2001), Megnode (2018), and others. They firmly believed business exists for the betterment of the community. Today the family of companies employ over 4000 team members across the globe.

Midge was a humble and relaxed man who gave guidance, support, and coaching to many family members and friends. His advice helped them gain the wisdom they needed to create a better life for themselves. He was considered a huge animal lover and will be missed by many furry friends including his cat, Thelma, who laid with him on his bed until the very end.

Midge had a love for water from a young age. He sailed inland scows and offshore competitively for more than 75 years, enjoying the competitiveness and camaraderie the sport offered. To say Midge had a passion for sailing would be an understatement! He enjoyed traveling the world, and spending time in warmer climates during the winter months on his own cruising sailboats with family and friends. He made several transatlantic crossings on his sailing vessels, while competing in sailing races both domestically and abroad.

Midge was a generous man. He took immense pride in his association with friends, business associates, community members and family; always giving to those in need. He was very involved in many charitable, volunteer, and philanthropic organizations. Midge was an active member of the Spring Lake Yacht Club, the Western Michigan Yachting Association, the Spring Lake Country Club, Spring Lake Rotary, West Michigan Sailing Association, Bitter End Yacht Club, and Seven Seas Yachting Association.

Midge is survived by his children, Melissa (Marc LaFleur) Verplank and Marte (Ron) Matthews; stepchildren, Dana (Carlos) Gonzalez, and Tom Knight, and their mother, Eleanor Verplank; three grandchildren, Paige Rae (Zach) Rehfus, Trent, and Lance Matthews; sister, Joyce Hatton; long-time Captain and trusted friend, Gerardo Navas; estate caretaker/personal assistant and reliable friend, Jamie Gordon; plus many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary Lynn; and brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Victoria Verplank.

The Celebration of Life for Midge will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at All Shores Wesleyan Church, Spring Lake. Full Military Honors to be performed by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28. Interment will be at Spring Lake Township Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Spring Lake Junior Sailing Association Endowment Fund held at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

Please click here to view recorded Celebration of Life Service: https://youtu.be/QUwhdysJATw

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