JOSEPH CONRAD VANDERGRIFF

1924 - 2011 Joseph Conrad Vandergriff passed away in his sleep on March 23, 2011 at Sharon Lane Nursing Home, Shawnee, KS. A native of Kansas City, Joe was born November 14, 1924 to Royal and Dorothy (Schuetze) Vandergriff. He attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School and De La Salle Academy before entering the Army Air Corp in 1941. He spent most of his duty tour on the Pacific island of Saipan, Northern Marianas. After an Honorable Discharge, he graduated from Rockhurst College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in three disciplines: Business Administration, Accounting, and Industrial Relations. Joe met his only love, Alice Marie Baxter, in a Church sponsored social group, and married her on July 16, 1949 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. With a large family soon in the making (8 girls & 2 boys!), Joe bought a grocery business (Van's Market) in 1956, initially at 10th & Paseo in KCMO, and eventually at 51st & Walrond in KCMO until closing it in 1975. He worked in various positions in the same industry thereafter. Joe actively participated in the activities of the Holy Name Society at St. Peter's Parish, KCMO, where he, Alice, and his children were members from 1961 to 1984. His eldest daughter, Susan, and her husband, Fred Ott, then prevailed upon Joe and Alice to relocate near them in Shingle Springs, CA in 1984. Warm weather and the freest time in their lives gave Joe and Alice a second lease on life, which they enjoyed through travel in the Western US, and two return trips to Saipan to share that history with his wife and sons Joe M. and Jeff. While in CA, Joe worked for the Federal Bureau of Reclamations and moonlighted as an accountant, while Alice worked for CalFarm insurance. Joe was Post Commander of the Sierra Nevada VFW Post 2680. He avidly kept relations with former classmates in Kansas City from Blessed Sacrament Parish, De La Salle Academy, and Rockhurst College. After 23 years, Joe and Alice returned to live in Leawood, KS, where they were members of Church of the Nativity Parish. Joe was preceded in death by his father Roy (1939) and mother Dorothy (1968), as well as his second daughter Nancy Mendus (William), and in-laws Roy E. Gamble and Joan M. Vandergriff. Joe leaves his love and wife, Alice M. Vandergriff of the home. He leaves 9 children: Susan L. Ott (Fred), CA; Dorothy A., KCMO; Dr. Joseph M. Vandergrift, MA; Mary, KCMO, Margie Chance (Craig), KS; Barb Fields (Jeff), AZ; Tricia Harte, KS; Frances, KCMO; Jeffrey (Rebekah), KS; and 12 Grandchildren: Dana & Bailey Chance, Janet Fields Palminiello (Tony) & Tim Fields, AZ; Jonathan, Michael, and Evan Vandergriff-Hughes, KCMO; Robyn & Lyle Harte, KS; and Gabrielle, Camille, & Olivia Vandergriff, KS. Joe also leaves his brother Robert Vandergriff (Venus), MO, 5 nephews, 3 nieces, 14 great- nephews, 9 great-nieces, and 1 remaining cousin, Joseph Breitenstein, KS. In Kansas City, Visitation and Rosary will be Sunday, March 27, 2011 from 3-5 pm, Muehlebach Funeral Home; 6800 Troost Ave. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, March 28, 2011 at 9 am, St. Peter's Church, 6415 Holmes Rd. Burial immediately after Mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO. A catered reception will be held back at St. Peter's Parish Legacy Center immediately after the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity In Joe's name, with notice to Inspirations2k@msn.com. Condolences may be left for the family at www.muehlebachchapel.com. M