Emery Vandemark Jr.

Emery JR. Vandemark of Caro, age 81, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Covenant Health Care - Cooper in Saginaw, following a brief illness. He was born November 14, 1934 in Caro, the son of the late Emery & Vera Pearl (Mulholland) Vandemark. A lifelong Caro resident, JR. began work as a young man at Hamp Curry Oldsmobile as a mechanic until founding Vandemark's Standard Service Gas Station with his brother, Virgil. He and Virgil would later purchase a second station in downtown Caro from Walt Schobert and specialized in bus repair and maintenance. His growing business was eventually moved to a bus garage at the Caro High School where JR. would spend the remainder of his working career as transportation director. In addition to his towing and service profession, JR. was a lifelong farmer. He was an early member of the Caro Jaycees and assisted the group in creating what is now the Caro Baseball Federation. JR. was a longtime member of the Tuscola County Fair Board and served the organization as treasurer and president. He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church in Caro, Caro Knights of Columbus Council 3224 in the 4th Degree, and the Caro Moose Lodge 1049. His spare time was often spent antiquing, fishing, snowmobiling and was a private pilot in his younger years. JR. and Mary Ann had a blessed marriage and found great happiness traveling around the United States and the world with family and friends. JR. is survived by his loving wife of sixty-two years, Mary Ann Orban Vandemark of Caro; two children, Dale Vandemark of Cass City, Debi Justice and her husband, Michael, of Deford; four grandchildren and their spouses, Chad & Maggie Justice of Deford, Kaila & Will Wood of Caro, Missy & Christopher Rhodes of Flat Rock, Kinnan & Michelle Justice of Cass City; six great-grandchildren, Miller, Parker, Cooper, Griffin, Harper and Sawyer; four siblings and their spouses, Betty Esckelson of Vassar, Freda & George McMullen of Mayville, Virgil & Betty Vandemark of Caro, Gerald & Connie Vandemark of Deford; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, JR. was preceded in death by one son, David Vandemark; and one sister, Virginia Mills. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Sacred Heart site in Caro with Rev. Dennis Kucharczyk officiating. Burial will follow the service at Almer Township Cemetery in Caro. A Rosary Service, led by the Caro Knights of Columbus Council 3224, will be held at the church on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to St. Christopher Catholic Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Visitation Information Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2016 Time: 2:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Time: 11:00 am St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church site Address: 140 Atwood St. Caro, MI 48723 A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, Sacred Heart site in Caro with Rev. Dennis Kucharczyk officiating. A Rosary Service, led by the Caro Knights of Columbus Council 3224, will be held at the church on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Cemetery Information Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Almer Township Cemetery Address: E Caro Rd & Deckervile Rd Caro, MI 48723 Burial will follow the service at Almer Township Cemetery in Caro.