Article: Jay Van Andel, Amway co-founder, dies at 80

JAMES PRICHARD, Associated Press Writer
AP Worldstream
12-08-2004
Dateline: ADA, Michigan
Jay Van Andel, the co-founder of Amway Corp. who helped parlay neighborhood soap sales into a billion-dollar business and later became a leading philanthropist for conservative causes, has died. He was 80.

Van Andel died Tuesday at his home in Ada, just east of Grand Rapids, of apparent heart failure, said Casey Wondergem, executive director of the Jay and Betty Van Andel Foundation. About nine years ago, Van Andel was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

He and Amway co-founder Richard DeVos reshaped their hometown of Grand Rapids over the years with their investments and donations. Many of the buildings ...

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