Earl Vandever, age 72, of Mitchell, SD passed away suddenly of an apparent heart attack on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Avera Queen of Peace ER. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Friday, November 15, 2019 at First Lutheran Church with burial and military rites at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday November 14, 2019 at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Earl was born in Sioux City, IA to Walter and Marie (Lewis) Vandever on May 7, 1947 and was raised with his two brothers in a family of unconditional love, hard work, fun and adventures.  He moved with his family in 1951 to Mitchell, SD and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1965.  He then enlisted in the Air Force and served from 1965 to 1971 at Minot AFB in Minot, ND; Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico; and at Offut AFB in Omaha, NE.  While in the Air Force, he was trained in Computer Science and Programming.  This training offered him career opportunities at Physician Mutual Insurance Company as a Computer Operator & Programmer in Omaha, NE and Manager at Security National Bank Data Processing Center in Mitchell, SD. Upon returning to Mitchell in 1979 he and his brothers owned and operated Firesteel Waterbeds.  Earl's favorite 'job' was one he wouldn't take a paycheck for and was anything he was able to find to accomplish at the church.  From the day of his baptism, at 11 years old, he was always willing to help with anything at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD. One of his favorite positions at the church was teaching Sunday school and working with the kids. His students held a special place in his heart.

Earl married the love of his life, Barbara Butterfield in May 1966 and continued to court her for the rest of their 53 years together.  Together they raised two daughters, Toi Anne and Melanie. Earl was ready in a minute to welcome in any of their friends and his nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids into their home for a meal, a ride, a hug and a conversation or story.  He was the neighborhood guy.  His garage was open for anyone to stop and say "Hi" and work on a project together.   His hours of woodworking in his garage produced many holiday gifts, treasures and family keepsakes. His skills resulted in a home, garage and yard that welcomed many guests over the years.

Earl taught us all that sharing a smile was always more important than any dollar you could give to anyone, but if you had extra dollar's they might be more valuable to your neighbor than to you.  He adored giving a bag (or three) of his caramel corn for any reason or no reason at all.  Anything to make someone's day a little brighter.  He was never afraid to ask someone if he could have their beer can when they were finished so he could add it to his collection, much to Barb's dismay.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Barbara Vandever, Mitchell, SD; two daughters, Toi (Brad) Sullivan, Melanie (Rod) Hageman; grandchildren, Zoe (Braden) Knudsen & Ramey Sullivan,  Matthew (Carissa) Hageman & Molly Hageman; great grandchildren, Josiah & Thielen Knudsen; two brothers, Richard (Darlene) Vandever, Chuck (Nancy) Vandever; a brother-in-law, Jim (Lois) Butterfield; sisters-in-law, Joy Butterfield, Sally (Kenny) Elkerton, Cheryl (Randy) Hein, Peggy (Dick) Figland, Wendy (Dave) Figland; numerous nieces, nephews and neighborhood kids; and many neighborhood friends that Earl considered family and so many life-long friends. We are in awe by the outreach of stories that we are hearing and thank you all for sharing.

Preceded in death by his parents, Walter & Marie Vandever, in-laws, Wayne & Fern Butterfield, Brother-in-law Richard Butterfield, nephew, Anthony