Charles Vanderpool

Charles Vanderpool, 86, rural Wabash, passed away at 12:45 p.m., March 9, 2010, at his home. Born April 22, 1923, in Jackson, Kentucky, he was the beloved son of James B. and Vina (Oliver) Vanderpool. A graduate of South Whitley High School, he extended his education during his military service. Mr. Vanderpool was a devoted patriot, and served two tours of military service to our country. One tour was served in the U.S. Army during World War II, after which he re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Force, where he was trained as a turret tail-gunner on a torpedo plane. On September 20, 1947, he married Frances Robinson in Wabash, Indiana. They were married 62 years. Mr. Vanderpool served six years as a Wabash City Fireman and paramedic. As founder of Atlas Industries, Wabash, he started the company in 1961 and was an active businessman and community servant until its sale in 1991. He continued to serve the community as a member of the Wabash Hannah Masonic Lodge, Fort Wayne Scottish Rite, Mizpah Shrine, and Wabash Shrine Club. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he loved his family. He was a trained mason and carpenter, and enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, and restoring antique furniture. He also restored several vintage wooden boats. As a private pilot, he flew his own airplane for many years. He is survived by his wife, Frances Harrison Robinson, Wabash; seven children, Charles David (Rhonda) Vanderpool, Somerset; Jonathan (Beverly) Vanderpool, Wabash; Phillip (Janis) Vanderpool, West Lafayette; Paula (Brady) Winer, Wabash; Teresa Vanderpool, Leesburg; Daniel (Barb) Vanderpool, Wabash; and Cynthia (Michael) Street, Wabash; a brother, Warren (Nancy) Vanderpool, Auburn, New York; 25 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. Funeral services will be held at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Pastor David Phillips will officiate. Burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash, with graveside military rites. Friends may call between the hours of 4-8 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Preferred memorial donations are to Wabash County Cancer Society and Wabash-Miami Home Healthcare & Hospice. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Nichole Bowling, Pat Carroll, Linda Davis, Freida Warren, and Wabash-Miami Home Healthcare & Hospice for their loving care and support.