Obituary of James E. Vandenberg

James E. "Jim" Vandenberg, 68, of Andes, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 1, 2015 with his beloved wife by his side at O'Connor Hospital in Delhi after being stricken at home battling cancer and living with Muscular Dystrophy. Even until the end James always had a smile on his face. Born on January 28, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Edward and Marie (Mayer) Vandenberg. James proudly served his country in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge he worked as a Police Officer for Nassau Co., NY, there he worked as a patrolman and EMT for many years until his retirement in 1986. Jim was also a member of the Andes Vol. Fire Department for many years, where he was Past President of the Department, truck driver and pump operator. Mr. Vandenberg was married to his beloved wife Mary (Gladstone) Vandenberg on July 22, 2006 at the Andes Presbyterian Church. James enjoyed golfing and traveling. Mary and he enjoyed traveling to Branson, MO, and most recently returning from a cruise. Jim also enjoyed traveling with his son to South Dakota on hunting trips. Jim was an avid outdoors man, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time out in nature. He was a life member of the NRA and he was also a past member of the Williamsville Rifle Team. He enjoyed having sleepovers at his home with his grandchildren. Jim also liked to meet up with his buddies in town for coffee at Hogans and Woodies. Besides his wife, Mary of Andes, James is survived by one son: James C. (Sarah) Vandenberg of Niagara Falls; step children: Jennifer Meres (Cristian DeMeo) of Andes, and Patrick (Deanna) Meres of Delhi; 8 grandchildren; Tristian, Braydon and Riley Vandenberg, Maggie, Jackson and Miles DeMeo-Meres and Jakeb and Ellison Meres; sibling: Gregg and his wife, Marie of West Babylon and Debbie of New Jersey; his mother-in-law, Marie Gladstone; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends and relatives are invited to call on the family from 4-7PM on Sunday, March 8, at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, 134 Main Street, Delhi. A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Monday, March 9 at the Andes Presbyterian Church, Delaware Ave., Andes, with the Rev. Marena Vittorio officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held in the spring at Andes Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Jim may be made to Andes Fire Department, PO Box 475, Andes, NY 13731 or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, Illinois 60606 Please visit James's online memorial at www.hallandpeet.com to share a condolence with the family.