Van joined the U.S. Navy on July 2, 1942 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He retired from the Navy on July 13, 1962. He then started his second career as a jet mechanic for United Airlines in San Francisco and retired in 1981.
Van and Bernice changed addresses often during their married life; they lived in California, Hawaii, Kansas, Florida, Iowa, and moved to Farmington, Utah in the early 1980’s to be near their only child, Karyn. Finally, after spending several years traveling between Farmington and St. George as winter “snowbirds,” they settled down permanently in St. George.
Van enjoyed reading, dancing, golfing, and he and Bernice enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and Alaska. They also occasionally visited the casinos in Mesquite, Nevada to try their luck.
Van is survived by his daughter, Karyn Vandevort (Salt Lake City); his brother, Roderick Vandevort (Nebraska); and two sisters, Pauline Vandevort Anderson (Oregon) and Joyce Vandevort Sapp (Nebraska). He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Edith Vandevort and Marie Vandevort Kehlenbeck.
The family would like to acknowledge Cliff View Assisted Living Center and Utah Hospice Specialists for their excellent, compassionate care of Van during his last days.
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Spilsbury Mortuary Chapel, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George. There will be a viewing Monday one hour prior to services at the Mortuary. Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, (435) 673-2454. Friends are invited to sign Van’s guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com
Spilsbury Mortuary
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