Charley Will Vandergrift

Charley Will Vandergrift, 76, of Alba, passed away Dec. 29, 2018, surrounded by his family. Vandergrift was born Oct. 15, 1942, to Claude and Ruby Vandergrift.
He was married to Delores Ann Hastings in 1964, in Mt. Vernon. They celebrated 54 years of marriage this year.
Vandergrift worked as a machinist for Steadley’s in Carthage until 1998, retiring after 33 years. He truly never retired until he became ill this year. He said he “loved his job but it didn’t pay much.” He always kept the home and farm well groomed. He would have two or three gardens going every summer and would share the abundance with family and friends. He kept the campfires burning when the family would gather to camp at Ride For Life, Ride For Kids and weekends at the lake.
Vandergrift is survived by: his wife; four daughters, Vicki (Danny) Arner of Sarcoxie; Mary (Mike) Beauchamp of Alba, Susan (Morgan) Thorn of La Russell, Missy (Ryan) Pietz of Webb CIty; son, Andrew (Rebecca) Vandergrift of Alba; sisters, Alice Reese, Shirley (Melvin) Owens of Mt. Vernon, Rosie Hoffman of Brazelton, Ga., and Daisy Garner of Miller; brother, Ralph (Jake) Vandergrift of Miller; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews; and his beloved pups, Annie and Ginger. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his brothers, Dewey and Willis.
Visitation was held Jan. 3, 2019, at Ulmer Funeral Home. Funeral services was held at 2 p.m. Jan. 4, 2019, at First Christian Church in Carthage. Burial was at Goss Cemetery near Phelps. Memorials may be made to the Carthage or Joplin Humane Society in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.