Robert John Vanderbilt

Robert J. Vanderbilt, age 84, of Crete, IL, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 20, 2016.
Beloved husband of Phyllis Vanderbilt, nee Bos. Devoted father of Linda (Richard) Schutt, Debra (John) Poortenga, Nancy (Greg) Carlson and Karen (Lance) Reinsma. Kind grandfather of Jennifer Schutt, the late Jonathan Schutt, Bethany (Alden) Van Solkema, Allison (Michael) Oleshko, Joel (Katie) Poortenga, Michael (Rebecca) Poortenga, Maria Poortenga, Ryan Carlson, Sara (Max) Popovich, Lauren Carlson, Nicole Reinsma, Alex Reinsma, and Adam Reinsma. Great –grandfather of Avery and Emma Oleshko and Talia, Micah, Lorena, Caelyn, Silas, Levi, and Evan Poortenga. Dear brother of late Gladys (late Rev. Arthur) DeKruyter, Ruth (late Robert) DeBoer, and Marshall "Mick" (Jane) Vanderbilt. Robert grew up in South Holland and moved to Crete, IL in his retirement years. He was involved in numerous church and school committees and enjoyed wood carving and many volunteer activities. Robert was particularly passionate about sharing his faith and spent 10 years leading Bible studies through the prison ministry at Cook County jail. Visitation Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Smits Funeral Home( 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane (Rt.30 & Pleasant Springs Ln.) Dyer, IN 46311. Funeral service Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Village Church (14849 93rd St., Dyer, IN 46311) with Rev. Lugene Bazuin officiating. Interment Abraham Lincoln Cemetery –Elwood, IL. Memorial contributions to Providence Life Services (18601 North Creek Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477) or Chicagoland Prison Outreach ( P.O. Box 63, South Holland, IL 60473). For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online guestbook and obituary at www.SMITSFH.com