STILLMAN VALLEY – Bryan Roy Vandiver, age 59, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 14, 2019. He was born Aug. 15, 1959 in Dixon, the son of Roy and Pauline (Linton) Vandiver.
He graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1978. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Gocken, on Oct. 3, 1981 at the Middle Creek Presbyterian Church. Bryan led a successful career with the Greater Rockford Airport, his own lawn care business, Cardinal Lawn Care, the N.E. branch of the YMCA in Rockford, and he was most recently hired as the Director of Building and Grounds for the Meridian School District # 223.
He was extremely passionate about his work and truly valued the relationships he made along the way. He was a member of the Kishwaukee Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church where he had a long history of serving on the building and grounds committee. He was instrumental in the construction of the new church building in 1996. He served on the Kishwaukee Cemetery Board and was the Marion Township Supervisor for over a decade. He was always there for his family and friends whenever help was needed, especially in the remodeling of his children’s homes. Bryan was an avid John Wayne fan, was a life-long supporter of Stillman Valley High School athletics, and loved to be in a boat on the water. He was widely known for the art of mowing straight lines.
He was predeceased by his father.
He is survived by his wife Linda of Stillman Valley, mother Pauline Vandiver of Stillman Valley, daughter Katelyn (Lance) Camp of Atkinson, Ill., son Jacob (Kate) Vandiver of Peoria Heights, 3 grandsons; Milo, Samson, and Maxwell, sister Colette (Tim) Meeks of Rockford, Parents-in-law Earl and Dorothy Gocken of Stillman Valley, Brother and Sister-in-laws; Beverly (Phil) Knowles of Stillman Valley, Richard (Becky) Gocken of Winnebago, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Kishwaukee Community Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 8195 Kishwaukee Road, Stillman Valley, with the Rev. Eric Tonjes officiating. Private burial at the Kishwaukee Cemetery. A visitation was held prior to the service on Saturday from 9-10:45 a.m. Immediately following the service a luncheon and a time to share memories together was held. A memorial fund is established in Bryan’s name. To leave a condolence visit www.farrellhollandgale.com.
