VIOLA - Thurlow Ebe Vanderwende (Butch), passed away with his daughter and other family/friends at his side at BayHealth Dover on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, after courageously fighting a long battle of illness.
Born in Milford, to the late K. Virginia (Spence) and Thurlow Vanderwende, he grew up in the Little Creek area and graduated from Caesar Rodney High School. He loved the outdoors, was an avid hunter, fisherman, farmer, trap and skeet shooter, showed/judged horses, trained/showed rabbit dogs, and was involved with the Beagle Club. He was an Associate Member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3, belonged to the National Rifle Association, American Quarter Horse Association, N. American Hunting Club, and was a former member of the Camden/Wyoming Moose Lodge and Felton Volunteer Fire Company.
Butch retired from the DuPont Company, Experimental Station, Dec. 31, 2007, after 40+ years where he worked as a Chemist.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and a brother, Walter Russell.
He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Vanderwende and Jennifer Lee; his grandchildren, Joseph (Stephanie), AnneMarie, Brianna, and Lil' John; his great-grandchildren, Ashton, Lealand, Brayden, and Declan; his sisters, Kenzel (Gene) Messick, Jane (David) Jones, Beverly (Dennis) Beebe, Lou Ann Vanderwende; and a brother, Lemuel Vanderwende; his Bridgeville/Greenwood family, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and best friend, Richard Proud, the Wilsons, Griffiths, Shorts, and many other family and friends.
Butch was known to have a "big" heart and always gave and helped others in time of need. He will be fondly remembered and missed by all.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by services at 3 p.m. at the Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Butch's memory to C/O Trader Funeral Home for the Trust Fund, 12 Lotus Street Dover, DE 19901
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com