Lonnie M. VanTrump

Lonnie M. VanTrump, 79, of Cleveland, TN, passed away at home Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, with his loving family at his side following complications from a second stroke.

Lonnie was born March 3, 1945, in Kansas City, MO to the late William F. VanTrump and Marjorie N. Owens. He graduated high school in Tahlequah, OK in 1963 and attended Central Michigan University where he graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. Immediately after college he was drafted, married the love of his life Mary L. Dobson on Aug. 19, 1966, and served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 spending most of that time in Okinawa. After his discharge from the Army, he attended Western Michigan University and earned his Master’s Degree in Library Science. Lonnie moved to Alpena, MI in 1970 and was employed as a Librarian and History Teacher at Alpena High School until his retirement in 2007. In addition to his teaching career, he coached junior varsity soccer at Alpena High School for many years and enjoyed watching the sport grow in popularity.

Singing was one of Lonnie’s many passions. He was a proud member of the Besser Chorus in Alpena for 30-plus years and cherished his time singing in the quartet. He joined the Cumberland County Community Chorus after he moved to Crossville, TN. His fondest memories were singing at Tiger Stadium when he was with the Besser Chorus and singing at Carnegie Hall as a member of the Cumberland County Community Chorus. He also performed in many musicals at the Alpena Civic Theater and Thunder Bay Theatre, including one with his granddaughter Katheryne.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed canoeing the Thunder Bay River and the Boundary Waters in Minnesota with his son John. He enjoyed his time as a scout leader for Troop 92 in Alpena for his two sons and Troop 74 in Crossville, TN for his grandson Jacob. He loved to travel and made numerous trips to Mexico to explore many Mayan ruins. He enjoyed gardening in Alpena but really enjoyed the longer growing season in Tennessee.

His many hobbies included woodcarving and drawing many of the homes and historic buildings around the Alpena area. He earned several awards for both, and these are now treasured items for his family. Another hobby of his was tracing his family origins, which he started with his father and he traveled the country researching and collecting data. He also volunteered at the Cumberland County Tennessee Archives assisting others pursuing their family history.

Lonnie is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary, his two children, Dan VanTrump, John VanTrump, his grandchildren, Katheryne (David) Sandoval, Jacob (Kaitlin) VanTrump, great-grandchildren Leena VanTrump, Jacob VanTrump Jr., Isabella VanTrump, Bryson Sandoval, siblings Ken (Lani) VanTrump, Sue Clark, sister in-law Patricia (James) Joyce, brother in-law John (Marie) Dobson, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Per Lonnie’s wishes, he has been cremated, and inurnment will be in the Chattanooga National Cemetery on March 8, 2025.