Vernon Carl Ohlman, age 85 of Wyoming, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 21, 2025. He was born August 21, 1939, in Wyoming, Michigan to John & Reka Ohlman and remained a lifelong resident of the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Vern graduated from Wyoming Park High School, class of 1958. He went on to graduate from Ferris State College and was one of the first architects at his school to become licensed by the state of Michigan. During this time, he met and married his lovely wife, Mary Dykema and together they built a very large family they both always dreamed of.
Vern joined the Grand Rapids firm of Wold, Bowers, DeShane & Covert (WBDC) in his early professional years. He later formed his own firm, Design Plus, in 1978 with partners Jim Reminga and Jim Vanhekken. The firm successfully grew over several decades, adding partners and talented staff. Vern took great pride in his relationships with clients and staff contributing to the West Michigan and Lakeshore landscape.
The firm’s accomplishments were many and well received by clients, peers, and the general public. Two significant projects are the beautiful campuses of Grand Valley State University in Allendale and downtown Grand Rapids. His ability to establish and maintain strong, lasting relationships was outstanding. The firm received numerous accolades and awards for their ability to create quality design. His legacy of achievements will live on solidifying his and his firm’s design expertise and appreciation for details. Vern was an officer or member of several industry related organizations.
Vern appreciated fine aircraft & automobiles, great conversation & music, particularly brass and jazz, and of course, classic architecture. He played the trombone eloquently and was briefly a member of The Grand Rapids Symphony. More recently Vern was a loyal member of his group of friends they called the “Liar’s Club” and frequented Vergennes United Methodist Church.
He dearly loved his family, many friends, partners and associates. Vern was thankful for what life had to offer along with the opportunity and ability to vastly contribute to it. His family will cherish many fond memories with him at Paradise Cove on Sand Lake, cottaging in Grand Haven, and hosting many family Christmas parties.
Vern was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; daughters, Faith Newhouse, Dawn Noordyk; grandson, Andrew McKenney; daughter-in-law, Liz Ohlman; brothers, Bill Ward, Jay Ohlman; sister, Virginia Deters; brothers-in-law, Louis Dykema, Tom Dykema; and sister-in-law, Grace Haynes.
He leaves behind sons, Aaron Ohlman, Adam (Paula) Ohlman, Mark (Betty) Newhouse, Steven Newhouse; grandchildren, Evan Ohlman, Paige & Lauren Ohlman, Matthew, Chad & Noah Newhouse, and Michael & Katie McKenney. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the many caregivers and medical professionals who contributed to Vern’s health, comfort, safety & well-being.
Family will greet friends and relatives from 4-7pm on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, 3980 Cascade Road SE., Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Private family burial will take place later in Spring 2025 for Vern and Mary Ohlman.
10 Responses
Vern and Gordon have been friends since high school – 71 years. We will miss him.
Larry Wert was one of his best friends for over fifty years. Larry and I, Pam, will greatly miss him! We are very glad that we visited with him almost weekly once he became unable to live on his own! We will remember him with love and affection always! God be with you sweetie!
I truly loved our conversations and had a lot of respect for Vern. I will miss him veery much.
So sorry to read Vern’s obituary. I enjoyed working with him at WBDC Architects for 5 years! He was a great architect and mentor to me! Rest in peace, sir!
I have known Vern for many decades through his son Aaron, who is a very close friend. I have been blessed to join in on some truly great gatherings, some fun trips, and many wonderful conversations. Vern was a very kind, intelligent and thoughtful person to be with. I have learned much from Vern over the years and will always be inspired going forward. I know Vern is at peace now and I am glad to have some great memories of the time I knew him.
Memories of Vern and Mary
When we heard the news that Vern was gone last week, we felt a wave of sadness that someone with such a good heart had left us. We always experienced Vern as a kind, good natured, intelligent, and creative person. He will be missed.
Vern started working with me professionally on the design of gas stations and convenience stores 50 years ago. I remember his patience as we would talk about different site plans. If something didn’t seem to fit, he would pull out his roll of yellow tissue paper and draw different options until we were both satisfied. He always wanted to find a solution we could be proud of — and something that worked for everybody. Over the years, we built more than thirty stores together – and rebuilt many of them multiple times.
Our work together quickly blossomed into a friendship between us, and then with our dear companions Mary and Carolyn. We both enjoyed Mary’s warmth and interesting views on people, places, and life in general. She seemed like the perfect complement to Vern’s more reserved manner.
We went out often as couples over the years and laughed a lot. New Year’s Eves were a special time reserved to get together, sometimes just the four of us and sometimes with other friends. We alway enjoyed ringing in the new year together with good food, good drinks, games, and good fellowship.
In 1988, Vern brought his skills to the job of designing a house for us. Carolyn and I agreed it was one of the best experiences in our marriage. In payment, Vern accepted a portrait Carolyn painted of Mary. When we asked him to come back and help with the design of an addition, he accepted a matching oil painting of himself as payment. We lived very happily in that house for 27 years.
One of the things I admired about Vern was his persistence. I watched as he joined with partners and established a firm of his own. I saw him go through growing pains with different partner expectations, staffing up as business grew, moving to new locations, having to downsize during recessions, coping with new forms of competition, winning honors for his work, fending off unfair lawsuits, finally selling the firm so he could retire — then dealing with a loose end of the sale that kept him up at nights. We watched him having to deal with Mary’s decline and final illness, and the challenge of finding meaning in his retirement.
Some of my best memories of those later years came from meeting Vern at the dog park. We would walk around a path with my dog Buddy for an hour, sharing the news of our lives and the news of the world. It was always good conversation and good companionship.
We hope the spirit of this good man will continue in the memories of everyone who knew him. He enriched us all by the way he lived his life.
Tom & Carolyn Fehsenfeld
When Dianne and I moved back to Grand Rapids (our home town) from Ann Arbor I got a job with the Architectural firm WBDC and that’s where I first became a friend of Vern. When Vern started Design Plus Architecture I joined with him in his new adventure. That friendship lasted for almost 50 years up until Vernon’s passing-he truly was one of my best friends. Our years of if designing Architecture was the passion of or lives. We were blessed with many commissions and we but heart and soul into our projects. Dianne enjoyed the time she spent decorating and hanging pictures in his condominium. We also enjoyed Vern’s and Mary’s visits to our condominium in Frankfort. We will miss you Vern rest in peace our friend.
Vern
You and others helped GVSU become the university we see today…I appreciate your service and leadership! We are able to achieve our mission.
Tom Haas
Sharing work, life and friendship with Vern for many years has been an honor and a pleasure with lots of good memories to hold dear.
Vern’s contributions to architecture will never be forgotten in the community. Condolences to Adam & Paula’s family during this difficult time.