Dana Sterling Getman
July 15th, 1946 - October 15th, 2023
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Dana's Obituary
On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Dana Sterling Getman, 77, passed away in his home in the presence of his beloved wife, Teresa Renea Getman, bringing to an end a life dedicated to industry, community and family. Dana’s life will be remembered by countless individuals as one defined by success and service to his community, but hallmarked by his abundant kindness and unwavering support for those that he knew and loved.
At his core, Dana was a businessman, a dedicated leader who spent his professional career working at Getman Corporation, a family business that under his leadership grew from a small, regional manufacturer of construction and mining equipment into one of the most recognizable brands in underground mining worldwide.
A stalwart of his industry, Dana invested his life into his business, often pulling his company through difficult times with sheer force of will, all while building a global reputation for unwavering integrity, a reputation that lives on through the company to this day. All told, Dana worked at Getman Corporation for over 45 years, joining the company in 1968 at age 22 and retiring from a full-time role in 2013 at the age of 67. He remained Chairman of the Board of Directors of Getman Corporation at the time of his death.
After stepping down from his full-time role as CEO of Getman Corporation, Dana turned his attention more fully to his lifelong passions of community service and philanthropic work. Having long supported the communities he lived in and worked in through volunteerism, donation and leadership, Dana would use his newfound time to take this work to new levels.
Over the final 10 years of his life he would be a key contributor to multiple organizations and causes, including holding leadership roles with Youth Development Company, the Covert School Board and the South Haven Center for the Arts. He was instrumental in the creation of the South Haven Recreational Authority, contributed to the establishment of the Van Buren County Senior Services Center in South Haven, helped lead efforts for the funding and construction of the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, and established the Getman Endowment for Equity in Women’s Athletics at his alma mater, Kalamazoo College.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Dana’s true essence lay in his kindness and generosity. He touched the lives of many with his compassion, helped young entrepreneurs gain footing with new businesses, provided advice and counsel whenever asked, and had an open ear and an open mind for anybody who needed it.
Dana is preceded in death by his parents Elias and Alice and his sister Jean, and he is survived by his wife Teresa, his daughters Michele (Erik), Kate (Chris), Rachel (Pete), Jessica (David), Jay and Veniace and his sons Derek (Amy) and Duane (Monica), as well as 14 grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 25, and in residence from Arlington, VA to Seattle, WA. He was a constant presence at sporting events, graduations, weddings, birthday parties and so much more. He raised his children to be their own selves, never judging, always supporting and encouraging, and he welcomed sons-in-law and daughters-in-law with the same love as his own children. He cherished his wife and their countless hours spent together discussing countless things. To his family, Dana Sterling Getman was a beacon of support and an unwavering source of unconditional love and acceptance. He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at the Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dykman Ave. South Haven, MI. A Time of Sharing will begin at 6:00 P.M. Bishop Darryl Williams, Officiant.
In lieu of flower donations can be made to the Michigan Maritime Museum: 260 Dykeman Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090; Big Brothers & Big Sisters of SW Michigan: 3501 Covington Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001; Youth Development Company / PAL: 10781 76th Street, South Haven, MI 49090 or South Haven Center for Arts: 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090.
To view Dana’s personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
At his core, Dana was a businessman, a dedicated leader who spent his professional career working at Getman Corporation, a family business that under his leadership grew from a small, regional manufacturer of construction and mining equipment into one of the most recognizable brands in underground mining worldwide.
A stalwart of his industry, Dana invested his life into his business, often pulling his company through difficult times with sheer force of will, all while building a global reputation for unwavering integrity, a reputation that lives on through the company to this day. All told, Dana worked at Getman Corporation for over 45 years, joining the company in 1968 at age 22 and retiring from a full-time role in 2013 at the age of 67. He remained Chairman of the Board of Directors of Getman Corporation at the time of his death.
After stepping down from his full-time role as CEO of Getman Corporation, Dana turned his attention more fully to his lifelong passions of community service and philanthropic work. Having long supported the communities he lived in and worked in through volunteerism, donation and leadership, Dana would use his newfound time to take this work to new levels.
Over the final 10 years of his life he would be a key contributor to multiple organizations and causes, including holding leadership roles with Youth Development Company, the Covert School Board and the South Haven Center for the Arts. He was instrumental in the creation of the South Haven Recreational Authority, contributed to the establishment of the Van Buren County Senior Services Center in South Haven, helped lead efforts for the funding and construction of the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, and established the Getman Endowment for Equity in Women’s Athletics at his alma mater, Kalamazoo College.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Dana’s true essence lay in his kindness and generosity. He touched the lives of many with his compassion, helped young entrepreneurs gain footing with new businesses, provided advice and counsel whenever asked, and had an open ear and an open mind for anybody who needed it.
Dana is preceded in death by his parents Elias and Alice and his sister Jean, and he is survived by his wife Teresa, his daughters Michele (Erik), Kate (Chris), Rachel (Pete), Jessica (David), Jay and Veniace and his sons Derek (Amy) and Duane (Monica), as well as 14 grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 25, and in residence from Arlington, VA to Seattle, WA. He was a constant presence at sporting events, graduations, weddings, birthday parties and so much more. He raised his children to be their own selves, never judging, always supporting and encouraging, and he welcomed sons-in-law and daughters-in-law with the same love as his own children. He cherished his wife and their countless hours spent together discussing countless things. To his family, Dana Sterling Getman was a beacon of support and an unwavering source of unconditional love and acceptance. He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at the Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dykman Ave. South Haven, MI. A Time of Sharing will begin at 6:00 P.M. Bishop Darryl Williams, Officiant.
In lieu of flower donations can be made to the Michigan Maritime Museum: 260 Dykeman Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090; Big Brothers & Big Sisters of SW Michigan: 3501 Covington Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001; Youth Development Company / PAL: 10781 76th Street, South Haven, MI 49090 or South Haven Center for Arts: 600 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090.
To view Dana’s personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
Memorial Contributions
Michigan Maritime Museum
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South West Michigan
YDC Pal -Bangor
South Haven Center for the Arts
Service Details
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Additional Visitation Information
A Time of Sharing will begin at 6:00 P.M. Bishop Darryl Williams officiant.