Patrick Joseph Vashaw

Patrick Joseph Vashaw, age 79, of Portland, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on January 11, 2022. He was born in Lansing on July 19, 1942, the son of Ralph and Phyllis Arlene (West) Vashaw. Pat was a faithful member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, a member of the first Parish Council, the Knights of Columbus #2168, and was an usher at Sunday Mass. He retired from TRW after 34½ years as the Chief Metallurgist.  Shortly after he went to work for his longtime friend, Gary Barnard, at Barnard Manufacturing in St. Johns. In addition to his career at TRW, he prepared taxes in the evenings as a side venture.  Pat was a member of the credit committee at PFCU. He was a proud veteran of the US Navy and was a member of the American Legion and Portland VFW #4090 where he was on the VFW Pool Team. Pat was known for his love of crosswords and ability to complete them in pen without the assistance of a dictionary.  In his free time, he also enjoyed bowling, camping, watching NASCAR and the Detroit Tigers. He also loved spending time outdoors fishing and hunting. Pat was an avid golfer and was especially proud of his hole in one at Huckleberry Creek Golf Course. Most of all, Pat loved his grandkids and cherished family dinners and memories made along the way. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Preceding Pat in death are his parents; brothers, Jim (JoAnn) Vashaw and Jack Vashaw; mother and father-in-law, Norman and Edna Weber; in-laws, Wayne Schrauben, Dan English, Marvin Weber, and Arlene Weber; and niece, Kristin Czaika. Surviving are his devoted wife of 54 years, Joan Vashaw; children, Robert (Carrie) Vashaw, Steve (Abigail) Vashaw, Brenda (Bill) Garner, and Vicki (Ryan) Krueger; grandchildren, Kasey (Adam) Heckman, Leigha Vashaw, Tate (Trissa) Schrauben, Kylee Schrauben, Cameron Krueger, Eli Krueger, Ever Pratt-Hart, Elijah Minken-Hart, and Elizabeth Minken-Hart; great-grandson, Levi Heckman; siblings, Val (Paul) Fisher, Darlene Schrauben, and Bonnie (Wally) Czaika; in-laws, Jane (Jerry) Goodman, Lee (Jane) Weber, Jerome Weber, Dan (Joyce) Weber, and Janice (Jim) Bollman; and many special nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Mike Alber at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 15, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Portland. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge Street, Portland. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com. 

*Per the family's request, masks are required for those attending visitation at the funeral chapel*

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