Byron E. Vandenbark

Byron Eppley Vandenbark passed away at 11:25 A.M. on Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Genesis Hospice-Morrison House. The first born of four sons, Mr. Vandenbark was born on October 8, 1923, in Zanesville, to the late Virgil and Clara (Eppley) Vandenbark. He attended Walker School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Lash High School. He worked at several places in the Zanesville area: delivered newspapers for the Zanesville Signal and was a shop foreman at the National Plumbing Pottery. He also helped his dad and brothers run the family farms. In early 1957, he moved to Los Angeles, CA where he was the Distribution Manager for American Distributing Company until his retirement in 2001. While there, he followed the LA Dodgers and Lakers and frequently visited the race tracks. Due to failing health, he returned to Zanesville in 2010 when he quickly became a fan of the Reds and OSU sports teams. He enjoyed listening to old country, bluegrass, and gospel music. He really enjoyed his twin great grandsons, Cory and Kyle, when they visited him, talking about old times or watching a ball game with them. He was known by his great-grandchildren as "Grandpa B". Byron was well known for his hearty laugh that was always so infectious anywhere he went. Byron is survived by three daughters, Jacqueline Jones and Christine (Jim) Mesaros, both of Zanesville, and Sheri (Bruce) Sachs of Carlsbad, CA; two sons Ronald Vandenbark of Zanesville and Randy (Donna) Vandenbark of Springfield, OH; nineteen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Rosie) Vandenbark and Lester (Sally) Vandenbark of Zanesville; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his lady friend, Maria Campos, of Hawthorne, CA; he is also survived by his extended family at The Abbot Home. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a daughter Rema Brown; a granddaughter Julie Mesaros; a brother David Vandenbark; a son-in-law Larry Jones; a daughter-in-law Gloria Vandenbark; and the mothers of his children Esthermae (Roberts) Harmon and Elsie West. Calling hours will be from 2:00-4:00 P.M. & 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 25, 2013, at the Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home, 1271 Blue Avenue, Zanesville, where funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, August 26, 2013, with Pastor Tim Carr officiating. Burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Hospice-Morrison House: 713 Forest Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701; or to The Abbot Home Activity Fund: 1258 Greenwood Avenue, Zanesville, Ohio 43701.

Visitation

Sunday, August 25, 2013 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home
1271 Blue Avenue Zanesville 43701, United States

Visitation

Sunday, August 25, 2013 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home
1271 Blue Avenue Zanesville 43701, United States

Funeral Service

Monday, August 26, 2013 1:00 PM
Bolin-Dierkes Funeral Home
1271 Blue Avenue Zanesville 43701, United States