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Funeral: 2 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Flora
Visitation: 12 noon until 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church
Burial: Willow Branch Cemetery
Bennie Earl Vandaveer, age 86, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Thursday evening, January 23, 2025.
He was born December 16, 1938, in Mt. Erie, Illinois, the son of Clyde and Mamie (Chapman) Vandaveer. He was united in marriage to Barbara Darlene McGrew on June 5, 1960, at the Willow Branch Church in Wayne County, and they have shared 64 wonderful years together.
Bennie was a graduate of Cisne High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the USS J.P. Kennedy. He proudly served his Country from 1955-1959. A lifelong farmer, Bennie found great joy in raising cattle. Over the years, he also worked as a Foreman at Valley Steel and as a school bus driver for Flora CUSD #35. Bennie was well-known throughout the community for his unwavering faith in his Lord & Savior, his deep love for his country, and his devotion to “his girls” - Barbara, Tammy, Renee, and Robin. In his younger days, he could often be seen driving a blue Chevrolet pickup truck with “B&B Vandaveer & Daughters” proudly displayed on the door. Travel was another joy in Bennie’s life, and he cherished the many trips he shared with his beloved wife, whom he affectionately called “Mom,” and their daughters. He was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church in Flora, where his faith and love for his family were central to his life. Bennie’s greatest pride and joy was his family, and he took comfort in knowing that his legacy would live on through them.
He is survived by his wife: Barbara Vandaveer of Flora; 3 daughters: Tammy Santiago of Anderson, Indiana, Renee Vandaveer (special friend Sheila Terrell) of Flora; and Robin (Don) Brooks of Rinard; 3 grandchildren: David (Alisha) Brooks of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Bethany (Jake) Tannahill of Cisne, and Lydia Santiago (Marco Vaughn) of Indianapolis, Indiana; 5 great-grandchildren: Trylan and Gwen (Sissy) Brooks both of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Duke and Ronen Tannahill of Cisne, and Kingston Santiago Vaughn of Indianapolis, Indiana – who knew him best as “PaPa Van”; a sister: Shirley Caldwell of Mitchell; 2 brothers: Bill Vandaveer of Sebastian, Florida and Bernie Vandaveer of St. Louis, Missouri; a sister-in-law: Jerry Williams; a brother-in-law: Larry (Becky) McGrew; and several nieces and nephews whom he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Bob Vandaveer; 3 sisters: Mary Shaw, Ruth Woolridge, and Joyce Vandaveer; and a son-in-law: Reverend Benjamin Santiago.
A funeral ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church in Flora, along with the presentation of military funeral honors. Burial will follow in Willow Branch Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorial donations are suggested to The Salvation Army, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
Miss Barb, Tammy, Renee, Robin, so sorry to hear this about Benny. He was a great man and will be truly missed. Love you all!!
We're so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. He was a great man and his loss will be felt by many. May your strength come from the love you showed him. Prayers for the family.
I can only offer my sincere condolences for the entire family, may your time of grief over the loss of a loved one be short on time. I am praying for peace for the entire family of the loss of this military veterans life!
We are so sorry you have lost your husband, dad, and grandpa. Benny was always one to be a talker. Yes, you will miss terribly. He's in God's hands now. Take peace in that. Praying for all of you, and sending love and hugs.❤️
My condolences to the family 🙏
Renee, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to lose your daddy. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless y’all.
We are so sorry to hear about Benny. He was always very nice.
So Sorry to hear about Bennie’s passing he was a Good man! Prayers going up for the Family!!!
He was a great man, will be missed by many. Prayers being sent
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs!
So very sorry, prayers of comfort and peace for all of you.
Robin, We are praying for you and your family in this difficult time. May God grant you comfort!
my condolences to all of the Vandeveer family. So sorry for you loss.
I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to here about your loss, Benny was a great man Prayers to your family
My heartfelt condolences to my dear friend Renee and her beloved family today. May you cherish today and a lifetime of days of all the beautiful memories you all have had with your special Father and a friend to so many. I hope your love can bring peace in your hearts in the following time. Thinking of your family. Love, Lesley Moats
We are so sorry for the loss of Benny. Prayers being sent.
Thoughts and comforting prayers to you all in the many days ahead
Praying for your whole family during this very difficult time. I feel very blessed to have known Benny as he was truly an amazing man. All my love and hugs to you all.
Prayers, of comfort, love and support for the family.
Barb and girls- I am so very sorry to hear about Bennie. You all hold a special place in my heart. I am sorry I can’t make it today. Please know our prayers are with you all today. 🙏🏻🛐🕊️
There are certain realities that we must accept even if they are undesirable, there are truths we must confront, even if they are unpleasant and there are special individuals we hold dear, whom we cannot imagine living without, but we must bid them farewell because our loved ones are, in a sense, immortal, as love transcends mortality. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you and your family. Your father was an exceptional human being and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to know him. I empathize with your pain and understand the magnitude of your loss. P.S. I will forever treasure the birdhouse he crafted with his own hands which I won at the last family reunion.
He was an amazing man. I'm honored to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. I love you. He'll never be forgotten.
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Bennie. He was a such a nice Christian man with a lovely family. He will be sadly missed by many. My sincere condolences to Barbara and the girls and their families. I'm sure he was a wonderful grandpa. Prayers and hugs for the family.
I am so sorry for the loss of Bennie. He was, how do I put it, a Character. My parents so enjoyed the times spent with your parents and you girls too, they talked religion, they laughed. Those were good times throughout my childhood that I will cherish. Barbara, I’m really sorry you lost your mate. I wanted to thank you for keeping in touch with Dad. He would tell every time he talked with you Gary
Prayer to his family. Benny was a very kind man. When I moved to Flora from Missouri in 1992 he & his family welcomed me at church. They have been great friends since. God Bless.
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hello! I just want to say, you was a great man. Rest In Peace
You will be missed, Bennie.
Ruth, so sorry to hear. You and Ben were such kind neighbors to me several years ago when I was living next to you all. Sad to hear this. Sending my condolences to the entire family. Rip
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]