Rev. Daniel John McVey

Rev. Daniel John “Dan” McVey of Alden, Michigan, is at peace in the presence of his Lord and Savior, welcomed into eternal life on February 4, 2026. Born June 21, 1952, he was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jackson, Michigan. Dan lived a life grounded in faith, service, and devotion to others. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maxine (Kabel) and William McVey, and his siblings, Teresa McVey and David McVey. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marjorie (Higgins) McVey, whom he married June 24, 1978; his children, Dr. Mary (McVey) Buschmann (Joseph) and William McVey (Melissa); his siblings, Joan (McVey) McLaury (Jeff) and James McVey (Pamela); his grandchildren, Emi, J. Peter, Josephine, and Charlotte; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; countless lifelong friends; and beloved golden retriever, Jake. Dan was a prodigious learner and servant of the Church. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1970 and Concordia University River Forest in 1974. He began his vocation in Lutheran education, teaching at Atonement Lutheran School in Dearborn, St. Paul Lutheran School in Millington, and St. John Lutheran School in New Haven, meanwhile earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan. Dan followed God’s call into pastoral ministry, completing his theological education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1981. He was ordained into the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on July 25, 1982. Dan served his vicarage and first pastoral call at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Centreville, Michigan, from 1981 to 1987. He then served as pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mancelona, Michigan from 1987 to 2003, and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pinckney, Michigan from 2003 until his retirement in 2005. In addition to these calls, he faithfully served congregations throughout Michigan during times of vacancy, including churches in Charlevoix, Gaylord, Dearborn, Leslie, and Kalkaska. He had an incredible sense of humor and gift for telling jokes. His sermons were humorous and engaging, drawing people in with laughter while pointing them faithfully to Christ. During this time, he also generously gave his time as a volunteer for the St. Joseph County jail as chaplain, Mancelona Police Department, and Mancelona Town Council. Dan cherished a quiet life in the woods of Northern Michigan, where he enjoyed camping, long walks, time with his wife and kids, his golden retrievers, and especially his grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter—particularly of ducks, upland birds, and deer. He was known for his high standards at the grill, his love of Christmas morning and Easter Sunday, and for campfire stories that terrified nieces and nephews with tales of the Dogman and the Johnson Pond Bigfoot. Above all, Dan lived for his grandchildren, enjoying quad rides through the woods and never hesitating to spoil them. He will be remembered with gratitude and love as a faithful servant of Christ, a devoted husband and family man, and a gifted storyteller whose humor and warmth will be dearly missed. Visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kalkaska Funeral Home, 152 S. Cedar Street, Kalkaska, Michigan. A second visitation will take place Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2470 Beebe Road NW, Kalkaska, Michigan. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorials can be directed to the American Kidney Fund, www.kidneyfund.org and St. Paul Lutheran in Kalkaska, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Rev. Daniel John McVey

June 21, 1952 - February 4, 2026