Marcus N. Vanhala, age 55 of Big Rapids, was born on August 8, 1959 in Tower-Soudan, Minnesota. He died on June 24, 2015 from pancreatic cancer at his home. He was baptized as an infant on September 6th and has lived under God's grace for nearly 56 years. He graduated from Allen Park High School in 1977, attended Henry Ford Community College and later graduated from Central Michigan University in 1983. He married Julie Burmont on November 26, 1983 in Allen Park. Marc has worked as a teacher, youth minister, and driver education instructor these past 30 years. He obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in 1987. Marc is survived by his wife, Julie Burmont Vanhala of Big Rapids; three children, Michelle Vanhala of Ann Arbor, Eric Vanhala of Mt. Pleasant and Timothy Vanhala of Big Rapids; his mother, Charlotte Vanhala of Dearborn; three siblings, Susan (Patrick) Lukasik of Canton, Frederick (Elaine) Vanhala of Allen Park and Ann (Ken) Lonc of Ann Arbor; and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Frederick Vanhala, and sister and brother in law, Janet and Matthew Donnelly. In addition to a passion for bicycle riding, Marc assisted at Immanuel Lutheran Church in worship and education. He was a member of the Lions Club in Big Rapids, chaired the school improvement team at Big Rapids Middle School. Marc helped organize an East Coast Trip for 8th Grade Students at BRMS, co-created an award winning class entitled, "Choices and Challenges," and encouraged students to understand themselves better through experiential learning activities. Marc taught driver education for the past 16 years, first with Big Rapids High School and in more recent years with Navigator Driving Academy. Marc assisted with the founding of Habitat for Humanity in Isabella County and traveled on several mission trips to build homes in Chattanooga and Boston. Along with his wife Julie and other members of Immanuel they helped create "Celebrate" and "Casual Family Worship." Marc touched many lives in many ways and he will be missed. We celebrate that he has arrived at his new home in heaven. Memorial contributions in Marc's name may be given to the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Funeral services will take place 12:00 p.m. (noon) Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 726 Fuller Avenue, Big Rapids, with Reverend Robert Garrels officiating. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28th at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids and one hour prior to services on Monday at the Church. Funeral Service Monday, June 29, 2015 12:00 PM Immanuel Lutheran Church 726 Fuller Avenue Big Rapids,MI 49307