Mardelle J. Kaufman VanVactor, 93, died on Thursday, February 14, 2013, in Miller’s Merry Manor, Syracuse, IN.
Born in Marshall County on August 14, 1919, Mardelle was the daughter of Harley and Pearl (Gottchalk) Sarber.
She lived in LaPaz, Indiana from her birth until 1968 when she moved to Plymouth.
A graduate of LaPaz High School with the class of 1937, she also graduated from the South Bend Business College.
She had been employed as a secretary at the Bendix Corp. in South Bend and worked at her father’s business, Sarber’s Hardware in LaPaz. She later was a salesperson at Bosworth’s Dept. store in Plymouth.
Mardelle served as a secretary in the Marshall County Surveyor’s office, a position she later retired from.
She was first married to Lyle Kaufman in 1941. He would precede her in death on September 13, 1972. She then married Joseph VanVactor on May 21, 1983 who then died on October 26, 2009.
For many years she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Plymouth.
Mardelle is survived by two sons: Gary L. (Ellen) Kaufman, Goshen, IN. and Brent L. (Mary) Kaufman, Rochester, IN. A step-son, Jon (Ruth) VanVactor and their son Ethan all of Plymouth also survive with one step-daughter Joanne.
Six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive. They are Gary’s children: Laurie (Troy) Graham and their daughter, Alanna, Syracuse, IN., Michael (Aimee) Kaufman and their son, Wyatt, Goshen, IN., Jill Kaufman, Goshen, IN., and Jayne (Caleb) Alexander, WA.
Brent and Mary’s children are Stacy Kaufman and her son Cameron, Plymouth, IN. and Ryan (Kim) Kaufman, Belmont, N.C.
Mardelle was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, and two sisters, Lucille Peters Ward and Rosemary Kaufman.
The family will receive friends at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth on Tuesday, February 19th from 5 – 7 p.m. Services conducted by Pastor Larry Marhanka, will be on Wednesday, February 20th at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow Oakhill Cemetery in Plymouth.
Memorial gift contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church – Chancel Choir Fund, 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563
JAMES CLINDANIEL says
I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MARDELLE….SHE ALWAYS A FAVORITE LADY TO TALK TOO…I HAVE MISSED GARY AND BRENT AND THEIR FAMILES THRU THEIR LIVES….JIM-AILEEN CLINDANIEL
Shirley A. Gidley says
Sure sorry about Mardelle. I always enjoyed talking with and really knowing her. I send my thoughts and prayers for all ofthe family.
Mike and Pat Kyser says
Brent: We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.
Our sympathy rests with you and your family at your time of loss.
Mike and Pat Kyser
BRIAN ANTONIDES says
Lifting you all in my prayers
SIDING WORLD says
Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers
Larry & Janet Lindvall says
We were sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. She was a very special lady.
Our sympathy & prayers are with you.
Larry & Janet Lindvall
Plymouth
JAMES CLINDANIEL says
I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MARDELLE….SHE ALWAYS A FAVORITE LADY TO TALK TOO…I HAVE MISSED GARY AND BRENT AND THEIR FAMILES THRU THEIR LIVES….JIM-AILEEN CLINDANIEL
Shirley A. Gidley says
Sure sorry about Mardelle. I always enjoyed talking with and really knowing her. I send my thoughts and prayers for all ofthe family.
Mike and Pat Kyser says
Brent: We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.
Our sympathy rests with you and your family at your time of loss.
Mike and Pat Kyser
BRIAN ANTONIDES says
Lifting you all in my prayers
SIDING WORLD says
Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers
Larry & Janet Lindvall says
We were sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. She was a very special lady.
Our sympathy & prayers are with you.
Larry & Janet Lindvall
Plymouth