John Vanderblomen 1942-2015
John Matthew Vanderblomen Sr., 72, Topeka, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at The University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.
He was born Nov. 30, 1942, in Topeka, the son of Jacob Sylvester and Marion Celeste Seymour Vanderblomen. He attended Rossville High School until his sophomore year.
Mr. Vanderblomen served in the U.S. Army. He later worked for Goodyear in Topeka and as a custodian for the Topeka Capital-Journal, later retired from Haskell University after several years as a custodian.
He was a member of the Drum Religion and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
He married Ada Merle Wahquahboshkuk on May 10, 1965. She died Dec. 17, 2008. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Judy Harrison and Janice Hendrickson; and a brother, Jim Vanderblomen.
Survivors include a daughter, Theresa Bravo, Topeka; three sons, John Vanderblomen Jr., Jacob Vanderblomen and Christopher Vanderblomen, all of Topeka; a sister, Joyce Cox, Alvin, Texas; a brother, Bill Wilbur, Topeka; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Drum services will be held this evening at the Danceground Building west of Mayetta. Burial will be held Tuesday afternoon in the Danceground Cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements.
