Walter Vandekerkhove
Walter Vandekerkhove
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Walter Vandekerkhove Obituary
Walter, better known as Jeff Vander, was born Jan. 26, 1916, in Skidmore, Kan. He was the last of seven children born to Gus and Marie (Menu) Vandekerkhove.
He married Madeline OpdeBeeck Jan. 10, 1946, in Skiplaken, Belgium, and she preceded him in death June 1991.
Walter is survived by daughters, Pat (Bob) Boles, Irma (Darrell) Kimmel, Trudy Irvin and Connie (Danny) Flowers; and one son, Walter Jr. "Papa Jeff"; he leaves behind nine grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brothers, Gustave Jr., John and Louis; and sisters Julia, Susan and Garman.
Walter was a World War II Army veteran serving in Belgium as a Jeep mechanic and driver where he met Madeline. He returned to Illinois with his new bride and began working second shift in the coal mines and opened his life-long business, Vander's Gas and Appliance. Jeff and Madeline sold their business in 1975 and retired to Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Walter was a member and past-commander of both American Legion Post 560 and VFW Cox Post 4753 in Sesser, member of Sesser Goode Masonic Lodge 744, and lifetime member of Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, in Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home in Sesser. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, with military graveside rites courtesy of Sesser American Legion and VFW Post. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to American Cancer Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
December 22, 2013
You all have our most deepest sympathy,, Remember all the great memories, Silvia Cavaletto , Herman
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102 W. Callie P. O. Box 624, Sesser, IL 62884
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