Obituary of Gerald Vander Vlucht
Gerald “Gary” Vander Vlucht was born on March 8, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio. He was one of five children born from the union of the late Garhardt and Charlotte Rose (Schwartz) Vander Vlucht. Gary attended Monroe High School graduating with the Class of 1957. Following graduation, he would enlist in the United States Navy where he would serve his country honorably.
Shortly after his discharge from the military, Gary would meet and soon marry the love of his life, the former Jewel Darlene Lindamood. The happy couple would be blessed with the birth of three boys: Gerald, Christopher, and Larry. For twenty-six years, Gary, was employed as a maintenance mechanic for DuPont of Toledo.
Gary loved to be outside. Many years ago, when Lake Erie froze thick enough to drive a car on, he and the boys would look forward to ice fishing. The boys often reached their destination far from shore by grabbing the backside of the vehicle and bumper sliding! Many wonderful memories were made Walleye Fishing on Lake Erie or dropping a line at Fletcher’s Lake near Alpena.
Gary relished the time he spent in the Northlands, nearly every weekend. For the past eleven years, they would visit the family’s Houghton Lake cabin. The boys fondly recall making the journey with dad for many years listening on repeat to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”
Gerald “Gary” Vander Vlucht, age 82, of Monroe, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday; February 6, 2021 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by his beloved wife: Jewel; two siblings: Larry Vander Vlucht and Henrietta Malone.
To cherish his memory, Gary leaves three sons: Gerald "David" Vander Vlucht, Christopher Lee (Lisa) Vander Vlucht, and Larry Charles Vander Vlucht; five grandchildren: Zachary (Karen) Vander Vlucht, Justin (Lindsey) Vander Vlucht, Amanda (Dustin) Raymer, Jacob Vander Vlucht and Ava Vander Vlucht; five great grandchildren: Brinleigh Raymer, Nash Raymer, Leighton Vander Vlucht, Brooklyn Vander Vlucht and Levi Vander Vlucht; and two sisters: Alice May (Bill) Lajiness and Loretta Fincher.
Friends may gather at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070 on Wednesday; February 10, 2021 from 1:00pm -7:00pm and Thursday; February 11, 2021 at 1:00pm for a Celebration of His Life also at Merkle South Monroe.
Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.