Eugene Thomas Vandermeir, age 79, of Oxford, Wisconsin passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the Wm S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be 12:00 Noon on Monday, April 6, 2015 at the Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Rev. John K. Stake will officiate. Interment will be at the Oxford Cemetery, Oxford, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home.
Eugene was born June 7, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to August and Loretta Vandermeir.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 2, 1954 and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1957.
Eugene married Rebecca Overfelt and they had five children, Eugene, Wendy, Tracy, Dena and Keith. Rebecca Passed away in 1969. Eugene was married to Ginny Clark who has six children, Mike, Tom, George, Bob, Vickie and Donna. Their marriage ended in divorce and he later married Evelyn Stritter. She had three children, Harry, Henry and David.
Eugene was an auto mechanic and farmer.
He enjoyed racing, playing on his computer, fishing, camping, cook-outs, dancing, drinking beer, and spending time with his family and friends.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, Augusta & Loretta Vandermeir; wife, Evelyn Stritter; First Wife, Rebecca Overfelt; brothers, Jerry & Bob Vandermeir; sister-in-law, Joyce Vandermeir and step-son, Bob Bruce.
Survivors:
Son: Eugene (Brenda) Vandermeir of Loretto, Kentucky
Daughter: Wendy (Duane) Grimmette of Conroe, Texas
Daughter: Tracy (George) Ferge of Grand Marsh, Wisconsin
Daughter: Dena (Larry) Swiger of Conroe, Texas
Son: Keith Vandermeir of Carol Stream, Illinois
Son: Mike (Cindy) Bruce of Ottawa, Illinois
Son: Tom Bruce of Michigan
Son: George (Cheryl) Bruce of Hillsboro, Wisconsin
Daughter: Vicki McVay of Wheeling, Illinois
Daughter: Donna O’Donnell of Ottawa, Illinois
Son: Harry (Toya) Stritter of Endeavor, Wisconsin
Son: Henry Stritter of Round Lake Beach, Illinois
Son: David (Tina) Stritter of Round Lake Beach, Illinois
Grandson: Larry Swiger of Grand Marsh, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Odessa (Brian) Faust of Wheeling, Illinois
Granddaughter: Shurina Stritter of Wheeling, Illinois
Grandson: Nick O’Donnell of Ottawa, Illinois
Grandson: Shawn O’Donnell of Ottawa, Illinois
Granddaughter: Brittany Lewis of Ottawa, Illinois
Grandson: Ethan Vandermeir of Loretto, Kentucky
Granddaughter: Maria McVay of Wheeling, Illinois
Grandson: Billy McVay of Wheeling, Illinois
Grandson: Elton Vandermeir of Loretto, Kentucky
Grandson: David E. Stritter of California
Grandson: Harry I. Stritter of Endeavor, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Tiari Stritter of Endeavor, Wisconsin
9 Great-Grandchildren
Sister: Ramona (Ray) Evans of Richmond, Illinois
Brother: James (Michaelene) Vandermeir of Dundee, Illinois
Brother: Joseph (Sonya) Vandermeir of Largo, Florida
Sister: Lori Vandermeir of Bartlett, Illinois
Special Friend: Bob Bock of Roselle, Illinois
Special Friend: Jan Hein of Berryville, Arkansas
Special Friend: Gary (Barb) Fassl of Crystal Lake, Illinois
Second Wife: Ginny Clark of Ottawa, Illinois
Many nieces and nephews
I lived in Friendship from 1977 to 1982 and had the privilege of working for Adams County where I got to know Evelyn. Evelyn and Gene were a very special couple whose love for each other just lit up the lives of all around them. A blessed peace to them both as they spend eternity together. My condolences to the entire Stritter/Vandermeir family. Evelyn and Gene showed us all what love is all about.
I am so sorry for your loss,I was so lucky to meet him the few times since Keith and I have been together.
so glad we got to see him at Lori”s Christmas party, corn and tater fest and his birthday cook out at his house a couple years ago.
So sorry for your families loss. Our parents all hung out together when we were kids lots of memories as we were growing up. RIP Gene.
To the family. So sorry for your loss. My family and yours have had many a good time together… Now most of all family and a lot of friends are all in heaven at the Stamen’s lake resort heavenly bar! May we all meet there someday when it’s our time. But in the meantime my God bless and keep you. Your all in my thoughts and prayers. Wendy (Folts) Wenzel
To all of Eugenes’ family and friends, we were all very fortunate to have known Gene. Great person to talk with. Enjoyed our many visits over the years. thoughts and prayers for you during this difficult time. God Bless all of you.
Sorry to hear of cousin Eugene’s passing. My condolences to all the family.
Sorry to hear of Eugene’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
I would like to express my condolences to your family, it can be hard for friends and family to find the right words to express at difficult times like these. The Bible is a great source to look into and has helped me personally when My dad passed away. Jesus Christ promised that millions now dead will live again on this earth and have the prospect of remaining on it forever in a peaceful beautiful paradise earth. (Isaiah 35:5,6) A comforting thought is at Revelation 21:3,4, where it states “…And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry be anymore the former things have past away”. This scripture gives us hope for the future! You can also find comfort in Acts 24:15 – Death does not end it all. May Jehovah God bring you comfort and peace during this difficult time. (Ps.46:1, Ps.83:18)
He and Evelyn are together again. I’m sure it was a wonderful reunion for them both. They loved each other very much. Sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of Eugene’s passing. My condolences to all of his family.
Dad had a special place in my heart. All Marines do, but he got to be in my Mother’s life for many happy years. I did not get to know him real well until we moved back to the area. Stationed with the Navy at Great Lakes I would run up in my Comaro and we would sit and talk for hours as he adjusted my spark plugs or waited for my oil to drain. Recently the past three years I had the pleasure of learning a lot from him. He would visit often for dinner and I always made sure he got his peas and corn. He was a happy man and that happiness would have everyone feeling the same we will greatly miss him especially my children. God bless you Gene.
To all the Stritter boys. I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your step-father. I know it has been a long time since I have seen any of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thinking of you all.