Rev. Dr. Gerald B. Vandemark

Rev. Dr. Gerald Brian VandeMark, 77, peacefully passed away to be with his Lord on Sunday June 23rd at his home in Port Orange, while surrounded by his family.  His memorial service will be held this Saturday, June 29th at All Saints Lutheran Church, Port Orange, at 11am. 

Pastor Gerry was born in Cornwall, New York, on July 30, 1941, son of the late Marion and Hobart VandeMark.  Moved to Riviera Beach, FL in 1951 and subsequently moved to Boynton Beach, FL.  Serving in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1962, primarily in the Persian Gulf, and Middle East, Gerry was in the first full graduating class of Florida Atlantic University in April 1966. He was married for 54 wonderful years, to the love of his life, Heike Wichmann, whom he married June 11, 1966, at Ascension Lutheran Church, Boynton Beach FL.  Graduating from Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA in 1970, Gerry was ordained the same year at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winter Park, FL, and served congregations in St. Louis, MO and Southern Illinois before moving to Port Orange, FL in 1978 and starting a mission which became All Saints Lutheran Church in Port Orange, FL.

He graduated in 1987 with a Doctorate in Ministry degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St Louis, MA and in 1990, became the Senior Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lehigh Acres, FL.  Shortly after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Gerry relocated back to Port Orange in 2001 with his wife Heike.

He is survived by his wife Heike, daughter Elke (Clay) Reeves of Port Orange, FL, son Brian (Jennifer) VandeMark of Cape Coral, FL, brother J. Hobart “Bart” (Gail) VandeMark of Port St. Luci, FL, sister Stephanie Banfi of Port St Luci, FL, grandsons Erik (Molly) and Daniel Bon Fleur, granddaughters Brianna, Kayla, Emma and Lyla VandeMark, great granddaughter Rylee, numerous nieces and nephews.  Gerry was proceeded in death by his late brother Jeffery W. “Jeff” of Stuart, FL and step father William “Bill” Bedell of Stuart, FL.