Florence (Floss) Vandeville

Mom was born September 30, 1923, and dad on March 26, 1922, both from Gladstone Michigan. The two of them met while residing in the Chemical Plant Location, living across the road from each other.

Dad was employed by the Delta Chemical & Iron Company, Wells, Mich. from June 1939 until his enlistment in the Navy on December 17, 1943. Dad served in WWII, both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, discharged on January 18, 1946. Dad retired from Mead Paper on April 1, 1984, after working there for 38 years.

Mom had a variety of jobs throughout her life. After us boys were in school, she went to nursing school and eventually worked at the North Woods Nursing home. She also worked at a steel mill in Gary, Indiana while dad was in the service.

Mom would tell a very vivid story of when she traveled by train from Escanaba to Norfolk, W.V. to be with dad when he was on leave.

Mom and dad were married on February 4, 1944, in Gary, Indiana. After dad’s discharge from the Navy, they made their home in Escanaba and then back to the Chemical Plant where the two of them built their home from the old schoolhouse. This was the home us three boys grew up in although Joe has early memories of living in the house next door while mom and dad built the house.

Mom and Dad spent time traveling around the Midwest and Florida camping and dancing up a storm as square dancers. Mom, being an expert at sewing, made most of her own square-dancing dresses and a lot of dad’s accessories.

Mr. and Mrs. Vandeville are survived by their three children: Joseph, Donald and Jeffrey Vandeville. Mrs. Vandeville is also survived by a sister, Ruth Sovey and Mr. Vandeville by a sister Helen Breitzman. 

A celebration of their lives will be scheduled at a later date.