Neil Elton Vanderburg

NEIL ELTON VANDERBURG
July 9, 1923 - April 10, 2014
Neil Elton Vanderburg reached his heavenly home on April 10, 2014, after a 90-year journey. He was born to Elton and Dorothy Rose Vanderburg on July 9, 1923, in Baldwin Park California, and he enjoyed growing up with his four sisters and brother, on various ranches in California and Oregon.
Neil always liked to have several "irons in the fire," and at the time of his graduation from Lebanon High School, in 1941, he was already farming his own land and working in a shingle mill. Within months, however, the United States entered World War II, and in preparation for joining the military, Neil completed a mechanics training program. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego, where he overhauled F4U fighter planes and sent them back into action.
While in San Diego, Neil met Edith Werner, the answer to his prayers and the love of his life. They were married on June 10, 1945. They settled in La Mesa California, where Neil opened Van's Collision Repair. Neil longed to return to Oregon, however, so in 1955, he and Edith moved their family to Corvallis. Neil took a millwright position at Brand-S Plywood Mill, and they bought a 40-acre farm on the Willamette River, about ten miles south of town.
Neil found great joy in raising not only his children, but forty head of cattle and all of the vegetables, fruit, and alfalfa needed to satisfy each! It was a good life. He found many ways to have fun, too, with enjoyment of nature being central. His family and friends enjoyed traveling, fishing, and camping with him. After retirement, in 1975, Neil and Edith spent many winters in Arizona, where they developed a passion for rock hounding and lapidary work. Many people were recipients of his crafted jewelry and belt buckles, and many gardens are now dotted with rocks they hauled home from their travels.
Throughout his years, Neil was blessed with the love and care of his family, friends, neighbors, and local church. He was particularly grateful for this kind support during the years he lived in Independence, Oregon, to which he and Edith had moved in 1989. In 2012 they returned to Corvallis, where family members were better able to provide for Neil's increasing care needs.
The Vanderburgs shared sixty-eight years of marriage and counted as their greatest blessings their children and their children's families: Joyce Commons; Carol Bolster, her husband, Duane, and their children Brian Bolster, Lisa Morgan, and Julie McGeorge; David Vanderburg, his wife, Janece, and their son, Nathan Vanderburg; Mary Stone, her husband, Jack, and their children Anna Smith and Peter Stone; Pauline Houck, her husband, Doug, and their children Micah Houck and Rachel Houck; and Dawn Winokur and her children Benjamin Winokur and Josiah Winokur. In addition, the Vanderburgs have great grandchildren: Emily Morgan, Samuel, Claire, and Lilah Smith, Silas Stone, and, on the way, Baby Houck. Son-in-law, Thomas Commons, and two grandchildren, Jessica Houck and Laurilee Commons, preceded Neil in death.
Neil's family loved him deeply and will miss him greatly. Family and friends are welcome to join them in remembering him at a service to be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at First Baptist Church, in Independence, Oregon.
For those wishing to make memorial contributions, Neil would be pleased to have them directed to the Independence First Baptist Church AWANA children's program, as in his younger years he enjoyed teaching third-grade Sunday School classes to a generation of boys. Alternatively, contributions may be made to Benton Hospice Service, which was of great assistance to Neil, in his last months. Farnstrom Mortuary is handling arrangements.