Lewis J. VanGilder 1924-2003 Obituary
Lewis Joseph VanGilder, 78, of 53 W. Lincoln Street, Buckhannon, died at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at his home.
He was born May 12, 1925 at Gould, a son of the late Hindman W. and Susan Lewis VanGilder.
On June 17, 1959 he married the former Bettie Mae Miller, who survives in Buckhannon.
Also surviving are one son, Kevin VanGilder and wife Doretta of Suffolk, Va.; one daughter, Karen Buchanan and husband Greg of Poca; one stepson, James Dale Halterman of Buckhannon; one sister, Mildred Howes of Fayetteville, N.C.; and two grandchildren, Beau and Hannah Buchanan of Poca.
Preceding him in death besides his parents were five sisters and seven brothers.
Mr. VanGilder served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946 during World War II. He was a former manager of Southern States in Buckhannon and Moundsville and a former manager of Vans Feed and Farm Supply in Buckhannon. Employed with the U.S. Postal Service in 1967 as a carrier, he was postmaster in Fenwick for two years, then a postal inspector before becoming postmaster at French Creek in 1981.
He retired from the French Creek Post Office in 1989. Mr. VanGilder then worked as a real estate agent for Century 21 and was a guest columnist for the Record Delta.
A member of the Mt. Rupert United Methodis Church, he was also a Sunday school teacher. He was a treasurer for Cross Lines in Upshur County and was involved with Habitat for Humanity. He was a graduate of the University of Hard Knocks.
Friends will be received from 6 pm. to 9 p.m. today at Poling-St.Clair Funeral Home, Inc in Buckhannon. Funeral services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Michelle Goss officiating. Interment will follow at Big Bend Church Cemetery in French Creek. The Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Lewis Joseph VanGilder. From 6 Sep 2003.
Lewis J. VanGilder 1924-2003 Obituary
