Donald "Don" David Vandervort

Donald 'Don' David Vandervort, 97, passed away on April 12, 2026, at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. Don was born in Sparta, Wisconsin on August 18, 1928, the second son of Harold and Hazel (Janes) Vandervort. He grew up in Sparta, attended the Depot Primary and Ward Schools, and graduated from Sparta High School with the Class of 1946. 

Don then briefly attended the University of Wisconsin and worked at various jobs until he was drafted into the Army in 1950. After being stationed at numerous locations in the States, he was sent to Augsburg, Germany, and worked as a surgical technician with the 900th MASH, 11th Field Hospital. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1952. 

Don met his future wife, Shirley Peterson, in Madison. They were married on March 20, 1954, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, in Sparta. Their marriage has endured for seventy-two years. He had joined his parents at their neighborhood grocery store in 1953. In the mid-sixties, he was employed as a school bus driver and also joined the US Postal Service. He worked at the post office as a letter carrier and clerk for thirty-one years, retiring in 1992. 

In the 1990's and early 2000's, Don and Shirley travelled extensively; including trips overseas to the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Greece, and Isreal. Their motor trips took them to almost all the States, and to Canada and Mexico. 

Don was a well-known member of his beloved Sparta community. He walked several times daily under all weather conditions. He was active in Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He was a twenty-year member of Sparta's Kiwanis Club where he could support their mission and social activities. He volunteered at the Monroe County History Room and the local food pantry. He golfed at River Run in retirement with a senior pass, and regular week-day tee times at eight a.m. Living his final years near his favorite Evans-Bosshard Park was a blessing to him. 

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters, Amy Misener (Matthew) of Middleton, Wisconsin, and Sarah Locke (Tony) of Alanta, Georgia; son, Christian (Traci) of Voorheesville, New York; grandchildren, Eli Misener of Madison, Wisconsin, Kevin (Amy) Misener of North Potomac, Maryland, David (Amira) Vandervort of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Samuel Locke of Atlanta, Georgia, Jenna Vandervort of San Diego, California, and Alyssa (Connor) Grey of Loganville, Georgia, great granddaughters, Gamila and Hadley; sister-in-law Carol Peterson of West Salem, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gordon Vandervort, sister, Barbara Eddy, parents-in-law, Morris and Myrtle Peterson, and Shirley's four brothers: Dean (Pat), Dale, Burton (Shirley) and Lee Peterson.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Sparta, with Reverend Joshua Buzbee officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.

A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Saturday, at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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