Vera May Vander Hart

     Vera May (Gulick) Vander Hart, age 84, of Ithaca, MI went home to Jesus on Monday, April 13, 2026 in her home surrounded by her family.
     She was born on February 3, 1942, in Ithaca, the daughter of Warren Franklin Gulick and Bernice Mildred (Russell) Gulick. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1959. She married William Eugene Vander Hart on October 2, 1964 in Ithaca. They enjoyed 61 years together.
     For at least the last 10 – 15 years “Bill” was a loving, patient, and kind caregiver as Vera dealt with multiple health issues.
     Vera worked as a secretary at various places, including Dow Chemical Company, Commercial National Bank, and Simmet Insurance Agency. However, her favorite jobs were homemaker, wife and mother to their three children. After retiring, she enjoyed clerking auctions for John Pavlik Jr. and Michael Doty. She always had cats and sometimes dogs in her home. Animals held a special place in her heart throughout her whole life. She especially enjoyed spending time with her husband, family and friends.
     Vera always loved music. She was a pianist and organist at the churches they attended. She loved to sing and was in a girls choir in high school, a group in Bible Club that sang in various churches, as well as choir in church. She and Bill sang together, as well as their family, and Vera even wrote songs for their youngest, Paul to sing. She wrote many songs and poems in the early years. Vera also sang in a quartet with Mable and Alvin Glover, called the Full Gospel Quartet, traveling with evangelist and pastor Rex Webb. They traveled all over, holding revivals in the Alma Armory, the Rathbone Hall, and various churches throughout the state of Michigan. She really missed singing, when illness came and she was reduced to a low range alto or no voice at all!
     Vera is survived by her loving and faithful husband William, their children: Heidi May Drowley (Bruce) of Ithaca; David William Vander Hart (Karen McLane) of Alma; and Paul Norman Vander Hart (Jennifer Siefker) of Plainwell; as well as 14 grandchildren: Emily (Vander Hart) Bos, husband Andy; Kaylee Vander Hart, Nicholas Drowley, Lucas Vander Hart, wife Katelinn; Zachary Drowley, wife Marion; Ethan Vander Hart, Benjamin Drowley, Elizabeth Vander Hart, Ana Vander Hart, Hannah Vander Hart, and Minte Vander Hart. They were blessed with 4 great grandchildren: Micah Bos, Ellie Bos, Olivia Bos and the newest addition Bennett Vander Hart.
     She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Beverly K. Lawrence, her brother in-law John Lawrence, stepfather Earl S. Gruesbeck, 2 stepbrothers, Ronald J. Gruesbeck, and Lynn S. Gruesbeck, 2 step-sister in laws Irene (Hegle) Gruesbeck and Betty Gruesbeck, brother in-laws Raymond E. Vander Hart and Kenneth E. Vander Hart, sister in-laws Judith Vander Hart, Lois Vander Hart, and Chris Vander Hart and three grandchildren.
     Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Edgewood Church of God with Pastor Rex Webb and Pastor Dave Perry officiating. Burial will take place at North Star Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Smith Funeral Home in Ithaca on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M. Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army or Edgewood Church of God. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.