Joseph VanVactorOct. 26, 2009
PLYMOUTH — Joseph “Joe” W. VanVactor, age 90, of Michigan Road, Plymouth, passed away at 6:50 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at the Hospice House, in Elkhart.
Joseph was born June 25, 1919, in Plymouth, to Clifford and Floe (Tracy) VanVactor. Joe and the former Anna May Wagner, were united in marriage Dec. 27, 1938. She preceded him in death June 19, 1982. On May 21, 1983 Joseph and the former Mardelle Kaufman, were united in marriage.
Joe served as a Sgt. in the United States Army during WWII with the 41st Infantry Division. He was stationed in the southwest Pacific from July of 1944 until February of 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He returned home to work with his father, Clifford, at Van’s Transfer Moving and Storage. He took over the family business, in 1962, and worked until his retirement, in 1982.
Joe was very active in the LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts. During the 1950’s, he held training sessions for the scout masters. He was a member of the V.F.W., the American Legion, and the First United Methodist Church of Plymouth.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Mardelle Kaufman VanVactor of Plymouth; his daughter, Joanne I. VanVactor of Indianapolis; his sons: Jon (Ruth) VanVactor of Plymouth, Brent (Mary) Kaufman of Rochester, and Gary (Ellen) Kaufman of Goshen; his daughter-in-law, Deloris VanVactor of Knox; his step-sister, Betty Lou Warnock of California; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his sons: William “Bill” J. VanVactor, Sr. March 3, 2008 and James “Jim” C. VanVactor June 24, 2008; his sisters: Dorothy Louise VanVactor and Helen Virginia Banghart; and his brother, Robert Lewis VanVactor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN, 46563 or to the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN, 46563.
~VISITATION~
THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2009, 4 to 7 P.M.
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
300 W. MADISON ST.
PLYMOUTH, IN, 46563
~FUNERAL~
FRIDAY, OCT. 30, 2009, 9:30 A.M.
VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME
THE REV. DR. DEAN FAGER, OFFICIATING
~BURIAL~
NEW OAKHILL CEMETERY, PLYMOUTH
MILITARY GRAVESIDE SERVICES PRESENTED BY
AMERICAN LEGION POST #27
~MEMORIES MAY BE SHARED AT~
www.vangilderfuneralhome.com
