Bert C. Vandermar

Bert C. Vandermar, 80, of Western Springs, IL, died Saturday, September 13, 2003, of mesothelioma. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. His business life spanned 40 years at Acadia Polymers. For 56 years he was active in the Chicago Rubber Group, an affiliate of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. After retiring he and a partner started a rubber consulting business, Van-Fron, Inc. Also in retirement he volunteered for 17 years at Love Christian Clearinghouse, a charitable mission. He was an active member of Christ Church of Oak Brook having served as an elder for 18 years. All who knew Bert found him to be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and spiritual leader for many. He is survived by his wife, Faith; children Pamela (Bill) Scothorn, William (Phyllis) Vandermar and Deborah Vandermar (Robert Poor); grandchildren Jennifer Dykema (Dave Mann), Rachel (Dan) Kelleher, Lauren and Matthew Vandermar, Maggie and Josie Vandermar-Poor; great-grandchildren Christopher and Julia Mann and Franklin and Grace Keller. He is also survived by four stepdaughters Terese (Paul) Jeppson and children Fiona and Elena, Lorraine (Paul) Starck-King and children Nicolas and Ted, Jacqueline (Joseph) Murphy and children Katie and Bridget and Cynthia (Scott) Munson and children Olivia and Renna. Visitation Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., at Merker & James Funeral Home, 518 Hillgrove Ave., Western Springs. Interment private. A memorial service will be held Wednesday September, 17, 1 p.m., at Christ Church of Oak Brook, 31st and York Road, Oak Brook, 630-654-1882. Service and visitation day and time pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Love Christian Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 50, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514, or to The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1609 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Info 708-246-1500.