Vivian M. (Thomas) VanDerWeele

Vivian Mae (Thomas) VanDerWeele at 98 yrs. young, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 at 9:55 pm at Miller's Merry Manor, Plymouth, IN, where she had lived the past two years.  She was born on April 11, 1918 in Argos, IN, the second child to Frank Aaron Thomas and Lura Devere (Simons) Thomas. Vivian had an older brother, Robert (Mary) Calvin Thomas, and was a lifelong resident of the Argos community.  Not knowing much about her ancestors, she had recently learned that her roots run deep in Argos.  Vivian was the great, great granddaughter of Joseph Rhodes who was involved in the town's early development.

Graduating from Argos High School with the class of 1936, Vivian soon headed to Elkhart, IN to attend Beauty College.  Upon finishing, she worked as a beautician in that community for several years.  Later, on a trip to California visiting her high school sweetheart, Bruce VanDerWeele who was stationed at Fort MacArthur, they decided to marry September 21, 1941 at the Wilshire Blvd. UMC in Los Angeles.  They set up housekeeping in San Pedro, CA, sharing a small bungalow with another couple for $25/mo. Everything was wonderful until Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7.  Immediately, Bruce reported to base; Vivian returned to Argos to live with her parents.  After the war, they resumed a normal life in Argos. Vivian raised their family in a loving home, enjoying gardening, antiques, knitting, sewing, while being a wonderful cook.  Together, they owned the Argos Newsstand & established Vanadco Signs.  She was a member of the Argos United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary, Post #68.  In retirement, they enjoyed traveling, here and abroad; their dog, Cinder; and spending winters in Surprise, AZ.  They shared nearly 67 years before Bruce passed away on August 10, 2008.

Vivian is survived by 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren:  

Jean (Bruce) Stauffer of Argos; their children, Jay Stauffer & children - Riley, Abby; Jana (Sung) Hwang & son - Levi.  

Jon D. (Darleen) VanDerWeele of Argos; their children, Todd (Kelli) & children - Spencer, Alexis, Madilyn, Emma, Ava, Alleigh, Brayleigh; Amee (Andy) Stone & children - Samantha, Jonathan, Jacob; Mark (Jena) & children - Braxton, Ayden, Brinnley, Emilee; Kari (Troy) Nielsen & son - Oliver.  

Janis (Steve) Wagner of Eugene, OR; their children, Scott (Kerra) & children - Hannah, Charlotte; Chad (Paula); Emily (Zach) Childs.

She is also survived by a nephew, Tommy Thomas of Warsaw, IN; a step-nephew, Joe Rex of Argos. Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and great grandson, Hudson Owen Nielsen.
  
After a small, family graveside burial service on Friday, May 26, 2017, 11:00 am at Maple Grove Cemetery, guests will be greeted at noon for a luncheon celebration of Vivian's life at the Argos UMC Community Center, 570 N. Michigan St.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Bruce and Vivian VanDerWeele Scholarship fund at the Marshall County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 176, Plymouth, IN   46563.

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