John David VanderMeer, 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Interlochen, MI on September 22, 2024, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born September 30, 1944, to Elinore Margeret (Sexton) & Abram William VanderMeer, Sr in Seattle, Washington.

John graduated from State College Area High School in 1962 and attended Pennsylvania State University where he graduated in 1966. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S Army from 1968 - 1972. He married his loving wife, Jeanne on June 12, 1971 and they would eventually settle in Carmel, Indiana where they raised their family.

Most of his career was spent with Tube Processing Corporation in Indianapolis, Indiana where he served as an Executive Vice President / CFO. After threatening to retire for about ten years, he finally retired in 2013. In retirement, his favorite words were "Everyday is Saturday."

John was a loving, kind-hearted, doting Husband, Father, Brother, PopPop and Friend to all of his people. He was especially proud of all of his grandchildren and fostered special relationships with each of them. He was a family man who loved family reunions where he would always make a point to connect with each and every person in attendance. He and Jeanne spent their winters in Bonita Springs, Florida, which he especially loved, and summers in Interlochen, Michigan. He loved biking with his friends in both places, sudoku puzzles, reading, and exploring with his beloved wife. He was a storyteller who would tell endless stories to anyone who would listen in a calming, warm voice and a sweet air of optimism. He loved to make the people that he loved happy.

John is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jeanne (George) VanderMeer, brothers Dan (Joan), Bob (Cathy), and James (Haley) VanderMeer, son Gerritt VanderMeer (Carolann), daughter Gage VanderMeer (Beck Jolly), daughter-in-law Kelly VanderMeer (Jeff Davis), grandchildren Willem, Cooper, James & Frances and many friends and extended family members. His memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Abram & Elinore, brother Abram "Van" VanderMeer, and his dearly beloved son, David "Davo" VanderMeer.

Services will be held at 11am on October 19, 2024 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 with a reception to follow. For friends and family not able to make it to John's Funeral , please visit RJFH.TV to view the service. In lieu of flowers, Please consider making a donation in his memory to http://raise.psu.edu/JohnVanderMeerMemorial .