Earl VanVleet Jr.

Earl VanVleet, Jr., 91, of Vincennes, passed away Sunday August 21, 2011 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis following a brief illness. He was born October 23, 1919 in Harrison Township near Monroe City to the late Earl VanVleet, Sr. and Lucile (Hess) VanVleet. He graduated from Monroe City High School in the class of 1937. He served his country during WW II in the Army Air Corp as a bomber mechanic in the South Pacific. Earl has lived most of his life in Vincennes and was the truck parts manager for McCormick, Inc. He has been an active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Earl loved to garden and was a avid reader. Earl is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gwen (Knight) VanVleet whom he married August 12, 1943. He also leaves behind a daughter, Linda Hensley of Marion, IN, a son, David Michael VanVleet of Vincennes, a sister, Sally Hoops of Monroe City and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy VanVleet, a brother Max VanVleet and a sister Analee Atkins. Funeral services have been scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Gardner-Brockman Chapel 505 Main Street. The Rev. John Groves will officiate. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit and share memories of Earl with the family on Tuesday from 4 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.