Robert C. VanGilder
STAUNTON:
Reverend Robert Chesley Bob VanGilder, 82, widower of Eleanor Eastwood (Gilbert) Sanger VanGilder, of 1864-B Springhill Road, took his final journey to his heavenly home on Friday, March 29, 2013 at his residence.
Mr. VanGilder was born on August 27, 1930 in Czar, West Virginia, a son of the late Charles Hayes and Hazel (Smith) VanGilder.
Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, singing in the church choir, painting, sports and traveling. He was proud to serve in the United States Army. He retired in 1989 from the Mineral County, West Virginia Public School System, and graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and Seminary in 1992. Locally he faithfully served as minister of Stonewall United Methodist Church, West View United Methodist Church, West Augusta United Methodist Church, Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Rockbridge Baths, and numerous other churches in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. During his ministry he participated in Volunteers in Mission projects in Nome, Alaska, Costa Rica, and worked with various church camps. Rev. VanGilder attended St. Pauls United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. VanGilder was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Delores Irene (Chenoweth) Shumaker; two brothers Paul VanGilder and Lonnie VanGilder and his stepson Jeff Dollarhide.
Time spent with family was treasured by Bob. Survivors include four daughters, Deborah Helen Amtower and husband Robert of Keyser, WV, Rhonda Kay McDonald and husband Robert of Daleville, VA, Roberta Lynn Jones and husband Carl of New Creek, WV and Karla Dawn Dick and husband Larry Michael of Broadway; a stepdaughter, Penny Knapp and husband Mike of Staunton; two brothers, Charles Edgar VanGilder and wife Rosemarie of Dayton, Ohio, and Marvin Lester VanGilder and wife Betty of Inwood, WV; two sisters, Ester Amtower and husband Willard Bill of The Villages, FL and Joy Mosser and husband Joe of Titusville, FL; a sister-in-law, Dolores VanGilder; eleven grandchildren; David Amtower and wife Ashley, Steven Amtower and wife Lora, Laura Beth Amtower, Sarah Maze and husband Paul, Rebekah McDonald, Benjamin McDonald, April Jones, Noel Jones, Charity Jones, Erika Dick and Emily Dick; one step grandchild, Jeramie Knapp and wife Amanda; a great grandson, Seth Grayson Amtower; and two step great grandchildren, Natalle Knapp and Nathan Knapp.
A funeral service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 in St. Pauls United Methodist Church by the Revs. Michael Houff, Norman Butler and Robert H. Woodfin, II.
A graveside service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser, WV by Revs. Dan Stemple and Andy Agnew.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2013 at Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, and 1 hour prior to service at St. Pauls UMC.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Pauls United Methodist Church, Volunteers in Missions Program, 2000 Shutterlee Mill Road, Staunton, Virginia 24401
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton, Virginia is assisting the family with arrangements.