Seventh Generation

662. Merlyn Otto VANDERVORT was born on 7 May 1934 in Monroe County, WI.¹⁵² He graduated in 1953 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁹⁵ from Tomah High School. He died on 16 June 2004 at the age of 70 in Lake Ozark, Miller County, MO.⁵⁴

Obituary Notes: "Merlyn O. Vandervort, of Lake Ozark, Mo., and formerly of Tomah, died Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at his home. A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 310 W. Elizabeth St., Tomah. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church Saturday from noon until the time of the service. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family."

Obituary Notes: "Merlyn O. Vandervort, 70, of Lake Ozark, MO, and formerly of Tomah, died June 16, 2004, at his home. He was born May 7, 1934, to Frank W. and Alma (Kuehl) at Tomah.

He was a graduate of Tomah Senior High School. Merlyn was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was united in marriage to Mary Day, Sept. 3, 1977, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Tomah. Throughout his life, Merlyn was known for his creativity in making beautiful things with oak wood. However, Merlyn's greatest joys were his wife, children, grandchildren, dancing with his beloved wife, and a big bowl of strawberry shortcake. His smile together with that sparkle in his eyes will be greatly missed but always remembered and cherished by those who love him.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Mary; daughters Cathy Jo Rand (husband Roger) Osage Beach, MO, Gloria L. Ball, Kansas City, MO; sons Merlyn O. Vandervort II, Lake Ozark, MO, Gerald A. Vandervort (wife Ingrid), Topeka, KS; daughter Valerie A. Altergott (husband, John) Lake Ozark, MO, daughter Jennifer J. Chavez, Chandler, AZ, daughter Donna Soneson (husband Rob) Ellis, KS; son John Heifner (wife Angie), Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Travis V. Goff, Ryan R. Rand, Kelly J. Rand, Troy O. Goff, Malari S. Vandervort, Melissa L. Ball, Merlyn O. Vandervort III, Jordan A. Vandervort, Taylor A. Altergott, Justin G. Vandervort, Kaleigh M. Soneson, Geoffrey R. Soneson; and great-granddaughter Rebecca L. Rand; sisters Sharon Jensen (husband, Doug), Tomah, Vicki Frampton (husband Steve), Ogden, UT; sister-in-law Vernie Vandervort, Tomah, sister-in-law Judy Wolford (husband Vaughn), Tomah; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank W. Vandervort; mother, Alma I. (Kuehl) Vandervort; infant brother, Gerald Vandervort, a brother, Verlyn Vandervort

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 19, at 2 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 310 W. Elizabeth St., Tomah. Pastor William Rice officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery with military honors by Grassman-Sowle-Larsen-Senz American Legion Post #201."

Merlyn was buried on 19 June 2004 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁴ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Merlyn Otto VANDERVORT and Patricia Ann PLANEY were married on 22 October 1955.⁵⁹⁶ Patricia Ann PLANEY was born (date unknown).

Merlyn Otto VANDERVORT and Patricia Ann PLANEY had the following children:

Merlyn Otto VANDERVORT and Mary DAY were married on 3 September 1977 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁴ at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Mary DAY was born (date unknown).