Wilbur "Van" E. Vanderzee

Wilbur “Van” E. Vanderzee, 86, of Huntington, IN, passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at 2:22 p.m. at Covington Manor, Fort Wayne, IN.

  Wilbur was born on October 2, 1932, in Indianapolis, IN, to Okke and Josephine (Bosma) Vanderzee.  His parents preceded him in death.  He married Thelma Virginia “Ginger” Hardy on May 6, 1967, and recently they celebrated 51 years of marriage.  She survives and resides in Fort Wayne.

Mr. Vanderzee graduated in 1951 from Concordia Lutheran High School.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean War.  He was also a telephone installer for Indiana Bell /AT & T and retired in 1991.  He was a member of St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Huntington, and Telephone Pioneers, American Legion #85, and the Remote Control Radio Club. 

Mr. Vanderzee was instrumental as the coordinator of communications for Sen. Dan Quayle and Vice President Bush coming to Huntington and announcing Sen. Quayle’s nomination to the Vice Presidency for the Bush-Quayle Presidential ticket.

Along with his wife he is survived by one son, Jeffrey Vanderzee, Harrisburg, PA; one step-son, Don (Terry) Cornish, Camp Hill, PA; three daughters, Vicki Kunkel, Camp Hill, PA, Leigh (Benjamin) Goas, Etters, PA, and Lisa (Ken) Starsinic, Harrisburg, PA.  He is also survived by four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by one step-daughter, Virginia Lee Holmes; and two sisters, Agnes Anderson and Frances Barr.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 18, 2018, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 648 N. LaFontaine Street, Huntington, IN.

Funeral service will follow the calling hours at 11:30 a.m., on Thursday, October 18, 2018, with Rev. Timothy Lorenz officiating.

Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #2689 following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church or American Legion #85 in care of McElhaney-Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson Street, Huntington, IN, 46750.

 A private burial will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA, at a later date.

 McElhaney- Hart Funeral Home, 715 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences:   www.mcelhaneyhartfuneralhome.com

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