Thrilled to present Sammie Vance, a 3rd grade student at Haley Elementary School, with a Certificate of Excellence for bringing Buddy Benches to her school.
Thrilled to present Sammie Vance, a 3rd grade student at Haley Elementary School, with a Certificate of Excellence for bringing Buddy Benches to her school.
A Fort Wayne girl is making national news for her kindness! đ°đâ¤ď¸ âIf somebodyâs lonely or if theyâre new to the school...
A Fort Wayne girl is making national news for her kindness!
“If somebody’s lonely or if they’re new to the school and they don’t have anybody to play with, they can sit on the bench,” the 9-year-old explained. “If other people see them on the bench, they’ll come up to them and ask them to play. And they can play together.”
 One of our favorite highlights of 2022 was having pioneering young eco-activists Ryan Hickman and Sammie's Buddy Bench Project visit POLYWOOD HQ. These incredible 13 year olds prove that anyone can make an environmental impact, regardless of their age.
“Mayor Tom Henry has always been kind to me, always easy to talk to, and always supportive of me and his community. I would not be who I am, or be where I am today if it were not for Mayor Henry and his support. He will forever be missed, and greatly appreciated.” Sammie
I had the privilege of meeting Mayor Tom Henry quite a few times over the past 7 years. He was so supportive of Sammie's Buddy Bench Project and always took the time to talk and listen. He was even a guest on her Sammie Smiles Podcast.
I am thankful for the friendship they had, always cheering each other on. Sammie wrote a book about being Mayor for the day inspired by her talks with Mayor Henry.
When we found out the mayor was sick we asked if we could work on getting a buddy bench honoring him. He approved it and wanted a green buddy bench to be put in Citizens Square! We got right to work and Sammie rallied the community to help collect plastic milk jugs that will be the recycled material used to get his buddy bench! Within the 2 weeks we collected (needing only 1,000 pcs) the community donated 1,760! It was a way for the community to come together and help do something special! On Tuesday we were able to update the Mayor about the progress and that the bench was ordered.
I so wanted him to be able to see it and have Sammie and him (2 buddies) sit on it. But I am glad he knew about it and it will be here soon for his family and community to see and be reminded of his love for his City of Fort Wayne Government.
You can see in the comments what the plaque will say that will go on the buddy bench
Vandeveer, Gerald Jerry John
I'm saddened by the passing of my good friend Jerry Vandeveer. Jerry was an unsung hero in our community. He loved...
I'm saddened by the passing of my good friend Jerry Vandeveer.
Jerry was an unsung hero in our community. He loved Fort Wayne, particularly our public safety divisions. Jerry dedicated his life to helping others. I always admired Jerryâs positive attitude, work ethic, and humility. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Jerryâs family and friends.
Rest in peace ⼠Family of community activist Jerry Vandeveer shared news of his passing on Friday, remembering him as "...
Family of community activist Jerry Vandeveer shared news of his passing on Friday, remembering him as " a beacon of strength and dedication in our community."
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Vandeveer family. Jerry and his wife Linda started The Wood Shack over 45 years ago and we purchased the inventory in 2019. He helped us out a lot in the beginning when he didnât have to. He spent a lot of time answering questionsâŚbeing patient with us ânewbiesâ in the antique architectural salvage business as we started our new venture. As we got to know him, it was fun to share our salvaging stories and have some good laughs. Jerry was a great man and heâll be greatly missed.
Gerald John Vandeveer, aged 75, completed his earthly work on Thursday, February 23, 2024. Jerry eagerly accepted an invitation from the Lord to walk the gardens of heaven alongside his "precious Linda," the love of his life, who preceded him in death in September of 2016. Jerry was born and adopted in Chicago in 1948. After attending Morgan Park and Chicago Vocational High Schools, he worked for several years before joining the Army and being stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he met his beloved Linda. After 5 months, they were married and moved to Fort Wayne to be employed at the Fort Wayne Children's Home. While there, Linda conceived their only child, Gerald II. They also started a small business on their days off called The Wood Shack on Baker Street, which they operated for 45 years. In the 1980s, they opened three small restaurants called Bimbo Chicago Style Hot Dogs while still operating The Wood Shack. In the late '90s, they became vocal supporters of law enforcement, working with them to clean out drug houses and prostitution from their neighborhood. Their work with the police was successful, so Jerry and Linda built a police memorial garden on Baker and Fairfield Corner to thank the officers. The police memorial ceremonies began in 2003 and continue today at a new location. In 2005, they recruited a board of directors, formed a nonprofit corporation, and began building the new permanent law enforcement/firefighters memorial on Wells Street, dedicated in 2011 with a cost of over $250,000. The community and unions donated 100% of the time, labor, materials, and money to complete the memorial. Over the years, they bought many houses surrounding their business and home and eventually their commercial building. They started their own urban renewal project for their neighborhood by remodeling only exteriors, planting flowers around the homes, and along the park strips of the street. It was a joy to drive by and see the flowers and be motivated to work on your own home.
Jerry was dedicated to his Linda during both good times and bad, through sickness and health. During their 46 years of marriage, they overcame many obstacles, taught each other how to love strongly, and built a love story that many people dream of but few ever attain. They lent their name to and participated in over 300 fundraisers and events. They received over 23 awards and recognitions from several entities, including the Fort Wayne Police Department, Sheriff's Department, PBA, FOP, FW Fire Department, State FOP, Southwest Partnership, Mayors Henry and Richard, and the Allen County Commissioners, who created the Linda and Jerry Vandeveer Impact Awards, awarded each September. Linda and Jerry each received the coveted Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Pence, and Jerry received the key to the city from Mayor Henry. Jerry also received the 2021 Visit Better Business Bureaus Individual of Integrity Award.
Linda and Jerry were active supporters of women's rights and vocal advocates for raising awareness of domestic violence, rape, and bullying of both men and women. Jerry rented 26 billboards to empower women to believe in themselves. Before Linda's death from colon cancer, he promised that he would share her message about how getting a colonoscopy could save your life. He spent the rest of his life honoring her memory by sharing her messages and beliefs on over 70 billboards, at speaking engagements, on street corners, and in letters. He was a two-time cancer survivor and used his health issues as warnings to others about early detection and the inexpensive tests available that could help with prevention and possibly save lives.
Jerry is survived by his son, Gerald II; daughter-in-law, Megan; and his grandchildren: Gerald III (JJ), Tristan, Emilee, Henry, Benjamin, Penelope, and Elizabeth (Betty).
Visitation is Monday, March 4, 2024, from 3-7pm at First Assembly of God, 1400 W. Washington Center Rd.. Visitation is also from 10-11am Tuesday March 5, 2024, followed by Funeral Services at 11:00am, all in the church. Services will conclude at Catholic Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. The familyâs preferred memorial is the âKops 4 Kidsâ program. To make a donation in memory of Jerry, please make checks to the FOP Indiana Wayne Lodge 14, 2125 Olladale Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 and please note âKops 4 Kidsâ on the memo line. To share a remembrance of Jerry or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.
Vandolah, James
James Vandolah first visited Perry township vicinity in 1832, while searching for a desirable millsite with convenient water power. He located one on Cedar creek, and having secured the land he returned to Ohio for three years, coming back in 1835 to dig the race for his mill. He then returned for his family, and in 1836 they settled on the farms where his sons afterward spent most of their lives. Mr. Vandolah's land holdings were extensive, including not only the 520 acres in Perry, but 400 acres in Eel River township, and a quarter section in DeKalb county. He was an expert millwright, and spent a great part of his time at his trade, having worked at many mills in the middle west. The Shryock mill, at Leo; the Dawson Mill at Spencerville ; the grist mill near Clarksville; his own mill and a number of others were built by him. Mr. Vandolah was township trustee several terms. The Vandolahs reared a family of eight children, five of whom survived the parents, and achieved honor and prosperity in their own right, as well as worthily inheriting that of their parents. Benjamin Vandolah, who was but three years of age when brought to Indiana, has spent his whole after life upon the same farm, one of the best in the township. The family preserve some curious Indian relics which have been unearthed on its soil. Thomas Vandolah, the second son, was also prominent as a farmer and in the social life about him, but has always avoided office holding. Copied from page 651-652 of The pictorial history of Fort Wayne, Indiana : a review of two centuries of occupation of the region about the head of the Maumee River by Griswold, B. J. (Bert Joseph), 1873-1927; Taylor, Samuel R., Mrs, Publication date 1917 on Archive.org Namesake for Vandolah Road and the Vandolah Nature Preserve.
Today, Mayor Sharon Tucker and the Vann Family announced a $5 million gift to fund the construction of a bridge that will connect two sections of the Pufferbelly Trail over Coliseum Boulevard.
In 1934, Homer Van Meter - born December 3, 1905 in Fort Wayne, driver for the John Dillinger bank robbing gang. He was gunned down August 23, 1934 in St. Paul, MN and his body was returned to Lindenwood Cemetery for burial, from 90 Fun Facts for April 4 & 5 at The History Center. A two page article is in the December 2013 Allen County Lines periodical on pages 42-43 by Phyllis Robb. Dillinger cohort lures curious to local digs Jeff Wiehe uly 3, 2009 in The Journal Gazette newspaper now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, Homer Van Meter on Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, and lots of Homer Van Meter images on Google.
See our Infamous Burials for more information on Homer and the John Dillinger gang buried in Fort Wayne.
Many celebrities count Fort Wayne as their hometown, but not all of them were on the right side of the law. One such man, Homer Van Meter, born December 3, 1905, turned to a life of crime and eventually became a member of John Dillinger’s “Terror Gang.” In March of 1925, Van Meter was arrested, tried and convicted for trying to rob train passengers in Crown Point, Indiana, for which he was sentenced to 10-21 years in prison. Van Meter wrote letters, believed to have been written in January-March of 1933, to two relatives in Fort Wayne expressing contrition for his criminal actions, and requesting that they support his attempt to gain parole. Exactly 90 years ago today, on May 19, 1933 Van Meter was granted parole. This did not stop his life of crime, he later joined Dillinger in robbing several banks and was eventually killed by police in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 23, 1934. #sociallyhistory
Venderly, Ron
87, born October 28, 1928 in Fort Wayne, died May 12, 2016. Son of the late Celestin and Emma Venderly nee Hawkins. He graduated from Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne then served in the United States Army during World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the Army National Guard 293rd Infantry. He was a coach and teacher at both Concordia Lutheran and Central High Schools. He spent 20 years as a broker and vice president with Merrill Lynch and 13 more with Smith Barney before retiring in 2000 from Shearson. An Indiana University graduate, with his wife, Joan, he founded the Ronald E. Venderly Charitable Foundation in the 1990s that awarded financial aid to hundreds of students at IPFW, Ball State, Purdue and Indiana, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, local area theaters, the Acres Land Trust, Venderly Bridge at IPFW, and the football complex at Ball State. See his May 15, 2016 D.O. McComb and Sons obituary a Fort Wayne Newspapers Legacy.com obituary. Philanthropist Venderly, 87, dies by Jeff Wiehe published May 15, 2016 in The Journal Gazette newspaper now on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine and Late Fort Wayne icon 'made a difference': Venderly's impact will not end soon by Tom Davis published May 16, 2016 in The News-Sentinel newspaper.
The Vermilyea Family (Vermilya/Vermilye/Vermilyea/Vermilyer) 56 page paper by Carl Parker Vermilyea 2009. Jesse Vermilyea appears 25 times starting on page 9.
June 5, 1910 - November 29, 1986, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but some sources claim Fort Wayne, where he was reared. He graduated with a law degree from Indiana University, but became a well known character actor in Hollywood for over 50 years from the 1930s to the 1980s with over 350 television and film appearances. See Wikipediaand MTV.com bio.
Virts, Mark
Made the U.S. Olympic diving team in 1980 but didnât get to compete because our country boycotted the Olympic games in Moscow.
Visiting Nurses
Itâs Nurses Appreciation Week! Check out our newest #IndianaHistoryBlog post to learn about the Visiting Nurse...
It’s Nurses Appreciation Week! Check out our newest #IndianaHistoryBlog post to learn about the Visiting Nurse League.
After linking poverty with disease, the organization formed in 1900 to treat the "sick poor of Ft Wayne.” League nurses saw residents through the World War I influenza epidemic and the Great Depression, and into the 21st Century.
