Wayne F. Vandevander, 69, of the Ruddle community near Franklin passed away peacefully Dec. 22, 2023, at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg.
He was born March 10, 1954, at Petersburg and was the son of the late Fred Vandevander, Jr. and Nola Ruddle Vandevander.
A 1972 graduate of Franklin High School, he had worked at Ruddle Saw and Equipment and then at Hanover Shoe Company for 23 years, both as a laborer and a supervisor.
Mr. Vandevander retired from Pendleton County Schools in 2022 after many years of dedicated service as a school bus driver and a maintenance and transportation worker. He was a licensed trainer for new school bus drivers, worked at the bus garage, was an inspector and delivered food and supplies to the schools. He tirelessly operated the farm that had been in his family for generations.
He was a member of the Ruddle Presbyterian Church where he served as elder and trustee. He was a member of the Pendleton County Farm Bureau and volunteered his time working with the Cub Scouts, 4-H clubs, and the local FFA. He was an honorary FFA member.
He and his cousin, Keith Kimble, grew up together like brothers, and he took great pride in serving in multiple capacities at Kimble Funeral Home.
He enjoyed spending quiet time on the mountain behind his home riding his side by side, hunting and spending time with his dog. He had a special place in his heart for children and animals.
On June 28, 1980, he married the love of his life, Beverly Judy Vandevander, who survives.
Also surviving are a son, Fredrick Vandevander (Cassie) of Petersburg; a granddaughter, Laney Vandevander; his four-legged companion, Ebby; and his extended family — cousins, Keith Kimble (Barb) of Franklin, Virginia Flatgaard (Wally) of Bridgewater, Virginia, Brenda Phillips (husband, the late Alan Phillips) of Elkins, Paula Siler (Joe) of Parsons, Mickey Cole and his sons, Ryan and Sean Cole, all of Richmond, Virginia, and Pam Cole of Harrisonburg, Virginia; sisters-in-law, Sherry Watts (Nick) and their son, Keaton, of Petersburg and Karen Chamberlain (Ross) of Franklin; brother-in-law, Dennis Judy (Donna) of Upper Tract and their daughter, Valerie Dasher (Richard) of Franklin; and niece, Briana Bruns of Franklin.
He was also preceded in death by an aunt, Wilda Kimble, and her husband, John; an uncle, Paul Vandevander, and his wife, Alice; a special cousin, Charlotte Cole, and her husband, Jim; in-laws, Denver and Bonnie Judy; and two brothers-in-law, Herbert Lee Sites and Steve Judy.
A funeral service was held Dec. 28 at Ruddle Presbyterian Church near Franklin with Pastor Deborah Beam officiating. Interment was at the Ruddle Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Ruddle Presbyterian Church, 17 Vandevander Lane, Franklin, WV 26807 or Upper Tract Rescue Squad, PO Box 42, Upper Tract, WV 26866.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
