Livonia: Jack passed peacefully on January 22, 2020 at age 94. Predeceased by his parents John H. Sr. “Bud” and Dorothy VanDerMeid and his brother Paul VanDerMeid. Survived by his loving wife of 63 years Nancy (Price) VanDerMeid and children; Stephen (Deanna) VanDerMeid of Cooper City, FL and Karen Coleman of Indianapolis, IN; grandchildren, Vanessa VanDerMeid, Erin VanDerMeid, and John Coleman; siblings, Thomas (Phoebe) VanDerMeid of Rochester and Doris Rahn of Brockport; sister-in-law Ginger VanDerMeid of Pittsford; several nieces, nephews, and many dear friends in the Livonia Community.
Jack was born on January 27, 1925 in Livonia, NY to parents John H. VanDerMeid Sr. and Dorothy (Humphrey) VanDerMeid. He graduated from Livonia High School and joined the US Army in 1943 during WWII. Jack proudly served in the D-Day invasion landing on Utah Beach in Normandy. He served in the Infantry and was assigned to the 4th Division as a heavy machine gunner. The 4th Division helped liberate France from the German forces. Jack was honorably discharged in 1946 and received several WWII Medals.
After WWII, back in Livonia, NY Jack worked for Walter “Bus” Meyer Chevrolet and later as a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service, from which he retired. Jack was married to Nancy Anne (Price) VanDerMeid on June 16, 1956. He was a 73 year member of the Harrison Lee American Legion Post 283, a recipient of the Livonia Senior Citizen of the Year, and received several veteran awards over the years. He was a dedicated friend to the Union Cemetery in Livonia where he along with a group of veterans, boy scouts, and friends would mark every veterans grave with a flag on Memorial Day. He was also well known to have his home and lawn looking perfect, he was often seen on his John Deere tractor, sometimes daily!
No prior calling hours. A Funeral Service to Celebrate Jack’s Life will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 29th, at the United Methodist Church of Livonia, 21 Summers Street, Livonia. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery, Livonia, with military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Livonia, 21 Summers St., Livonia, NY 14487 or the Lakeville United Church of Christ, 5687 Big Tree Road, Lakeville, NY 14480. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
What an interesting guy. Grandpa always had stories to tell and lots to say. I will always remember our visits, whether in FL or NY. I thank him for his service to our country, and others, over his long life. I’m grateful that my dad had his dad for so long. Rest In Peace, Grandpa Jack. Love you.
Jack you were the best! Great neighbor and friend to all! We sure will miss you and nobody will ever keep that corner so beautiful. Say Hi to everyone as I know you will have alot of people to see. Much love to Nancy and Karen!
Jack is one of the people in my earliest memories. He was always at our farm and was always doing something when he was there. He could never stand still. He would help out on the farm so we could all get to the legion for breakfast sooner.
Jack was active at the legion, and he was there for every breakfast, clam bake or gathering.
I recall going on Jack’s mail route with him when I was about 7 years old. He made me feel like a big shot, letting me putting mail in the boxes.
Jack and Nancy were a big influence on me and felt like part of our family. They were always there …at our farm, at the legion, in church. He never had a harsh word for anyone.
He will surely be missed.
Dear Nancy,
So sorry to hear about Jack. He was such a wonderful man. He will be very much missed. Much love to you and all his family.
Dorothy and Lou
My sincere condolences to Nancy and the entire family.
Jack was always one of my favorite adults when I was a kid, and I have so many fond memories of him.
Dear Aunt Nancy, Steve and Karen,
So sorry for the Loss of a Dear Man. Your Husband, and Father. I will always remember the good times we had when everyone came up to Bud and Gail’s House (The Farm) for the Holiday Dinner’s. Uncle Jack will be missed a lot. May he R.I.P. I send my Deepest Sympathy to the Family.
Laurie ( Hetrick, West ) Gomer
Dear Nancy, Stephen and Karen, I send my sincere condolences and prayers. Jack was a wonderful man. My most recent memory of him was when he shared my parents love story at my dad’s funeral. His story was something Jim and I never knew and it has brought me joy all these years later. Jack was a great man. He had that Van DerMeid heart of gold. I am sure there are many memories from people that he touched in his life. Please know that I am thinking and praying for family.
Lynda (Van Der Meid) Robinson.
Jack was a good friend and a great person. Jack will be missed by of the community. May God be all of your Family and Friends.
George and Michele WiegandJack was a good friend and a great person. Jack will be missed by of the community. May God be all of your Family and Friends.
George and Michele Wiegand
I will always remember Jack. I had the privilege of escorting him and his brother Tom on an Honor Flight mission to DC I was very touched by his openness to share some of his WWII experiences with me. It was an honor to meet him. My condolences to his entire family
Heartbroken ! A man I looked forward to thanking every Veterans Day. LIVONIA has lost a hero and friend
What a nice guy. Best lawn in town. He will be missed.
My sincere condolences to the VanDerMeid Family on the passing of Jack. He was truly an inspiration to many people, especially Veterans! God Bless You Jack
He was my Uncle Jack, so I knew him my whole life and never knew life without him. He was always interested in the world and everything that was happening to nieces and nephews like me. And what a marvellous and unmistakable laugh. He wasn’t much of a talker, so it was only relatively recently that I learned about a lot of his war service — and about his stint in a post-war training program in Florence, Italy, where he had a marvellous time. He’d earned it. I will miss him very much.
Mr. VanDerMeid was a wonderful man who positively impacted many people. I had many conversations with him while growing up next door for most of my early childhood years. Prayers for Mrs. VanDerMeid and all of his family.
I met Jack a couple of times, at the Legion and at the Memorial Day Parades. Am sorry to hear of his passing. He was Gentleman and very encouraging to the younger vets that he met. That act is remembered and passed forward.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Cliff VanDerveer (Past Post # 283 member)
I’m going to miss you, Jack. You always had a smile and a happy thought. Nancy, all thoughts and prayers for you and the rest of your family.
Jack was part of our greatest generation and landed on Utah Beach and helped keep our nation free. Wow, our community has lost a hero who will be missed!!
Nancy, so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing, what a wonderful man he was. Don and I both remember him delivering our mail when we were kids on the lake. Always loved running into him and chatting. Jack will be greatly missed by all in the community. Our love and condolences to you and your family.
Very sorry to hear about Jack, I used to see him about every morning at the store in Livonia Center. Janet Marshall ran the Resturant there and we would meet 5 am or so and have breakfast. I always had a very enjoyable time talking to him. I always liked his take on events that were happening.. Again very sad for the loss.
Our condolences to Nancy and family of Jack. He was a Great guy, always greeted with a smile. May he Rest In Peace.
Jack was a member of a generation that sacrificed to save our country and his landing on Omaha Beach is certainly something our community owes him a debt of gratitude!!
Jack – You will be greatly missed. I always loved running into you and chatting. Condolences to your family.
Nancy, I’m so sorry to here of Jack’s passing. He was a great friend and I will miss seeing him greatly. My thoughts are with you
Uncle Jack will be forever missed in our Family
With Love
Dave and Sue
So sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. I first met him at the post office in Livonia Center. When I introduce myself to him he asked who my Father was. I told him and said we worked at Bus Meyer’s andcwas in service with him. God be with your Family during this difficult time… RIP my Friend…
A generation of kindness, acceptance, and faith has departed with the passing of Jack. He, like my dad (“Bing” May), was a man who nelieved in his country, his faith, and his family. Those who knew him have lost a good friend. Nancy, Steve, and Karen may you draw strength from each other and the memories so many will have to share.
Jack will be missed by all and served his country with great pride.
My deepest sympathies for your loss and the loss to the Livonia community. Jack will be missed by all. May God grant him rest. May God grant his family and friends peace, comfort and strength.
Jack was a wonderful gentleman and a true American hero. It was my honor to know him. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear about Jack’s passing. We’ll miss seeing him at the Post Office and around Town. He was the nicest man in the world!
Such wonderful memories of time with Jack and Nancy and our parents, Bob and Jean McTarnaghan. He will be missed.
To Nancy and family –
So sorry for your loss. Jack was a great man and will be missed by all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Brennan
To Nancy and family –
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Jack was a great man and will be missed by all. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Brennan