Stanley G. Vanderbeck

Stanley G. Vanderbeck, Jr., 86, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, September 7, 2004 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday at St. Peter?s Church, 623 Church St., St. Joseph with Rev. Randy Doyle officiating. Friends may call from 12:30-2:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Peter?s Church Memorial Fund, 623 Church St., St. Joseph, or Hospice at Home, 2626 W. John Beers Rd., Stevensville. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Vanderbeck was born October 20, 1917 in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Stanley G. & Louise (Wolverton) Vanderbeck, Sr. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936. Stanley earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was a Golden Glove Boxer. On January 17, 1943, he married the former Viola Bittner in St. Joseph. Stanley served his country in the US Army during WWII. Stanley operated Vandies Print Shop in his home for many, many years in addition to working at Remington Rand for 28 years. He retired from the St. Joseph Post Office in 1983 after 18 years of employment. Stanley was an avid golfer. He had three holes-in-one to his credit, one each at Blossom Trails, a course in Sarasota, FL, and just last year, at 85 years of age, at Pebblewood Country Club. He was a member of St. Peter?s Church where he taught Sunday School, and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Workers. Stanley loved tending to his lawn & his flowers. He was a loving husband, father, & grandfather. Stanley is survived by his wife Viola; his son Dr. Ron (Laurie) Vanderbeck of Jenison, MI; two daughters-Elaine (Lee) Gast, Jr. of Sarasota, FL, Susan Campbell of South Elgin, IL; five grandchildren-Michael (Tracey) Gast, David (Dr. Lisa) Gast, Dr. Bob (Kristen) Brainard, Dr. Andy Brainard; three great-grandchildren-Katherine & Caroline Gast, Andy Gast; and his sister-Gloria Vanderbeck of Mission, TX. Stanley was preceded in death by his mother, his father, and his step-mother, Mathilda Vanderbeck.