Harold L. Vandiver

Harold L. Vandiver, 83, Neodesha, Kan., died Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, at the Wilson County Hospital in Neodesha, Kan. He was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Bethany, Mo., to Robert and Nancy Hacker. He grew up in Millington, Tenn.

Harold joined the U.S. Navy on Feb. 20, 1941, and served until his retirement on March 29, 1963. He worked 10 years at NASA. On April 9, 1948, he married Esther Nelson in Kansas City, Mo. He was a member of the VFW, U.S. Naval Reserve, and the Maple Grove Church of God (The Bethel Church) in Neodesha, Kan.

Survivors include his wife Esther of the home; five children, Ronald Vandiver, Millington, Tenn., Rodney Vandiver, San Diego, Calif., Stephen Vandiver, Houston, Texas, Sheila Tickle, of Kansas and Sheena Swartz, Neodesha, Kan.; 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son and one brother.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 3, at the Maple Grove (Bethel) Church of God in Neodesha, Kan., with the Rev. Bill Campbell and Dave Cheshier officiating. Cremation will take place and burial will follow at 10 a.m., March 4, at the Bethel Cemetery under the direction of the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 2, with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Maple Grove Church of God or the Christ Church and contributions may be left at the Loran Fawcett Funeral Home.