Daniel James Sahaydak

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Daniel James Sahaydak, age 88, recently of Hudsonville, Michigan, is present with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after passing from this life on September 8, 2021. Born to Ukrainian immigrants George and Doris Sahaydak on Oct 18, 1932, in Bay County, MI, Daniel grew up on a Tuscola County farm with three siblings. From an early age he learned the culture and traditions of his parents: hard work, shrewd bargains, faithfulness at church. Daniel remained many years on the family land with a two-year interlude serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After returning from overseas, Daniel met the Ukrainian-born Tamara Belokonny. They married on Oct 15, 1960, and raised three children while working the land for another 25 years. After retiring from farming, Dan worked with the Labadie Olds auto dealerships and also Brennan Marine’s yacht dealership in Bay City. With his background, Dan always liked order and organization. He appreciated the value of ordinary things and found ways to use what others might discard. Dan had an eye for collections of unique farm equipment, household items and various memorabilia. Growing up hearing both English and Russian, Dan also appreciated the idiosyncrasies of the English language. Homonyms amused and occasionally frustrated him. Among his many sources of pleasure, Dan’s children and grandchildren were a great source of pride and joy. He and Tamara made their home a precious place for family to come and be present. And Dan was willing to brag about his offspring to any listening ear. Attending church and keeping the Sabbath were firm practices in Dan’s life – even with the harvest-time pressures to bring in the crops. He had a straightforward trust in God who saw him through many stages in life. When one looks at the life of Daniel Sahaydak, what stands foremost is a strong trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, a love and devotion to his beloved wife Tamara, and a deep affection for his children and grandchildren and their spouses.Daniel Sahaydak is survived by his loving wife of sixty years, Tamara; his sister Thelma Diment; his children Rachel Connelly (Jim), Brenda Berends (Keith), Martin Sahaydak (Tonja), and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Larry Miller officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home.