Paul E. Vandevender, Sr., of Creston, Iowa, formerly of Chesterton, passed away Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006 at Afton Care Center, Afton, Iowa. He was 84.

He was born Sept. 12, 1922 in Thornwood, W.Va., the son of George Washington and Elizabeth Effie (Rexrode) Vandevender, both of whom preceded him in death.

On May 3, 1953 in Michigan, he married Caroline Fredricka Smith, who preceded him in death in 1994.

He is survived by seven children, Nancy Vandevender of Mt. Ayr, N.C., Paul (Debi) Vandevender Jr. of Creston, Iowa, Frank (Kathy) Vandevender of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Sandy (Ed) Hatfield of Sharpsburg, Guy (Janice) Vandevender of Valparaiso, Robert (Toni) Vandevender of Westville and Brenda (Alan) Riley of Galesburg, Ill.; two sisters, Hilda Cromer of Canton, Ohio and Helen (Earl) Wright of Portage; a brother, Otto (Betty) Vandevender of Canton, Ohio; 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren.

Paul drove a truck for A.W. White Lumber Co. He was a member of Apostolic Lighthouse Curch in Creston. He was a former member of Chesterton Moose Lodge. Paul was a judge for the Northern Indiana Horse and Mule Pulling Assoc. for 25 years. He also loved to play softball as a pitcher for the church team.

Funeral services, Rev. William D. Williams officiating, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Hobart.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

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Posted 12/18/2006