Laura Jane "Sergent" Vanderheyden

Laura Jane Vanderheyden passed peacefully away at her home. She was born August 26, 1956, in Paris, Kentucky, to John and Nancy Sergent.

She graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1978, where she met and married Mark Vanderheyden. Laura went on to teach foreign languages (Spanish, French, German) at Marian High School, Riley, Washington, and Clay in South Bend Community Schools, finally retiring from Penn High School.

She enjoyed time with her grandkids, weekly euchre games, volunteering at Pet Refuge, and serving as a child advocate for CASA.

Laura is preceded in death by her Husband Mark and is survived by her sons Adam Vanderheyden, Brian Vanderheyden (Angie), and Kyle Vanderheyden; and grandchildren Joseph McQueary, Elizabeth Vanderheyden, Samuel Vanderheyden, Anthony Vitale, Nolan Vanderheyden, and Nash Vanderheyden. Along with two great grandsons Vincent de Anthony Vitale and Carter Crail.

She will be remembered for her kindness, her love for animals, her generosity, and her occasional hillbilly spirit when needed.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46614. Interment will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, April 9th at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left for the Vanderheyden family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com .