This is a sad day for the Lifters, Our fellow club member and brother Mike Van Zetten has pased away, you probable new him as Mikey, He was only 33 years old , but had the kind soul of an old man. He had been fighting cistic fibrosis since he was 3 and was only supose to live till he was 12, but his pasion for old fords and flatheads kept him and all of us alive. He was the main social hub for our club, for in his kindness , him and his dad always kept their door and backyard open for us. For years we all stored our cars and parts stored at his house, and I am the one that abused this the most, to me they are my second family and Mickey was the little brother I never had, many a car club got to visit Mickey's back yard, and sort thrue all the cool parts and bodies at his house, it was always " I'll meet you at Mikey's " perhaps it was Mikey's enthusiam toward life that kept us there, for he lived a day at a time and enjoyed life to the fullest. We will be celebrating Micke's life at the Big 3 Swappmeet on friday at sundown. This recession has been hard on all the car clubs, especialy our's , formany a member has had to sell his car, or can't afford to go to any of the shows anymore, but my friend Mickey did the impossible today, he gave the Lifter's the biggest gift possible, he made us a club again by gathering us by his bedside, and showing us that what maters is not the cars but the friendship.
When all else fails...........frends and family see you through. May your friend rest in peace. Frank
I got the word last night from Justin. So sorry for you guys. Your description of Mikey is spot on. He'll be greatly missed. RIP.
Condolences...My sister died of the same disease at the age of 21......Back then (1982), 21 was considered a long life for them, now a days some live to late 30s.....
Good stuff in that post Magoozi. Im sorry for your loss, and that of your club. 33 is way too young, but it sounds like Mikey had been giving Death the finger for a long time, thats a crappy disease. Its sounds like to me like that sundown service at the swapmeet will do him proud and we should all be lucky enough to have friends like him OR you... good on you man... RIP Mikey. Cheers Hodge nevermind I just saw the pic...
sad to hear; it is in fact, way to young. may he rest in peace and may you all find peace and happiness in the friendship you shared.
Justin told me yesterday also. Very sorry to hear of this. Mikey was a cool dude! We will meet again,Mikey.....i'll bring some wrenches! RIP.....