Larry Vanderboegh

Larry L. Vanderboegh, age 79 longtime resident of Niles, Michigan died at 9:38 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at his home in Berrien Center, Michigan following a brief illness.

He was born on July 26, 1935 in Niles to Harold H. and Hazel Pearl (Smith) Vanderboegh, and was graduated from Niles High School. He was first employed at the former Horvath DX Service Station at Third and Broadway before taking a route as deliveryman for The Stroh Brewery. He later began a long career with the National-Standard Corporation in Niles. In retirement, he owned and operated Michiana Fire & Safety, Inc.

Larry enjoyed classic cars, regularly going through the buy-restore-sell cycle with a variety of makes and eras. When he wasn’t in his shop, he would be doing something outside, especially doing yardwork including mowing twice a week.

On August 9, 1971 in South Bend, Indiana he married the former Joan L. Zimmerman with whom he celebrated last year the forty-third anniversary of their wedding. Joan preceded him in death last month. He was also preceded in death by brothers Danny and Robert Vanderboegh, and sister Kay Noble.

Surviving family includes a daughter, Brenda (& Don) Gwin of Jackson, Michigan and son, Scott (& Jill) Vanderboegh of Nebraska; grandchildren Bryan Gwin, Jennifer (& David) Hopkins, and Justin Vanderboegh; great-grandchildren Brielle and Wyatt; and Larry’s sister, Lynn Spitzer and brothers, Phillip, Ronald, and David Vanderboegh; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Larry Vanderboegh will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Brad Neese of Berrien Center Bible Church officiating. Interment will be at Mission Hills.

Contributions in memory of Larry may be made to the Congenital Heart Center at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan Health System.

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