Wayne Vandevander

Wayne F. Vandevander, 69, of the Ruddle community near Franklin, West Virginia passed away peacefully Friday, December 22, 2023 at Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg.

He was born March 10, 1954 at Petersburg, West Virginia and was the son of the late Fred Vandevander, Jr. and Nola Ruddle Vandevander.

A 1972 graduate of Franklin High School, he had worked at Ruddle Saw and Equipment and then at Hanover Shoe Company for 23 years both as a laborer and a supervisor.  He retired from Pendleton County Schools in 2022 after many years of dedicated service as a school bus driver and a maintenance and transportation worker.  He was a licensed trainer for new school bus drivers, worked at the bus garage, was an inspector and delivered food and supplies to the schools.  He tirelessly operated the farm that had been in his family for generations.  Wayne was a member of the Ruddle Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Trustee.  He was a past member of the Pendleton County Farm Bureau and volunteered his time working with the local FFA, Cub Scouts, and 4-H clubs.  

Wayne and his cousin, Keith Kimble, grew up together like brothers, and he took great pride in working in multiple capacities at Kimble Funeral Home.  He enjoyed spending quiet time on the mountain behind his home riding his side by side, hunting and spending time with his dog.  He had a special place in his heart for children and animals.

On June 28, 1980 he married the love of his life, Beverly Judy Vandevander, who survives.

Also surviving are – 

One son – 

Fredrick Vandevander (Cassie, neé Mitters) of Petersburg, WV

One granddaughter – 

Laney Vandevander

His four-legged companion – 

Ebby

And his extended family – 

Cousins – 

Keith Kimble (Barb) of Franklin 

Virginia Flatgaard (Wally) of Bridgewater, VA

Brenda Phillips (husband, the late Alan Phillips) of Elkins, WV

Paula Siler (Joe) of Parsons, WV

Mickey Cole and his sons, Ryan and Sean Cole, all of Richmond, VA

Pam Cole of Harrisonburg, VA

Sisters-in-law – 

Sherry Watts (Nick) and their son, Keaton, of Petersburg

Karen Chamberlain (Ross) of Franklin

Brother-in-law - 

Dennis Judy (Donna) of Upper Tract and their daughter, Valerie Dasher (Richard) of Franklin

Preceding him in death were his aunt, Wilda Kimble, and her husband, John; his uncle, Paul Vandevander, and his wife, Alice; a special cousin, Charlotte Cole, and her husband, Jim; his in-laws, Denver, and Bonnie Judy; and two brothers-in-law, Herbert Lee Sites and Steve Judy.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 28 at Ruddle Presbyterian Church near Franklin with Pastor Deborah Beam officiating.

Richard Mallow, J.D. Heavner, Nick Watts, Tommy Roberson, Randy Roberson and Ed Ruddle will serve as his pallbearers.

Interment will be at the Ruddle Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Ruddle Presbyterian Church, 17 Vandevander Lane, Franklin, WV 26807 or Upper Tract Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 42, Upper Tract, WV  26866.