Peter Millard Vandervoort

Peter Millard Vandervoort, age 88, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away on September 16, 2024 at his home. He was born May 19, 1936 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the son of Charles Millard Vandervoort and Winifred Kirschman Vandervoort. 

Pete graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1954, then attended the University of Michigan earning a degree from the College of Literature, Science, and Arts in 1958. He went on to earn his law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1962 with honors.

Pete married Nancy Sitterley on August 18, 1962 in Lancaster, Ohio. He gave tennis lessons for an entire summer to earn enough for an engagement ring for Nancy. The wedding reception was held at Nancy’s home on Orchard Hill with a Dixieland band coming over a hill playing “When the Saints Go Marching In”, Pete’s favorite song. Pete and Nancy were married for 62 years and centered their lives around their children and grandchildren, as well as their beloved Christmas westies Casper Claus and Carly Belle.

After law school, Pete joined his father’s law firm, Vandervoort, Christ, and Fisher in Battle Creek Michigan, but he and Nancy decided to move to Lancaster in 1973 to raise their children in a smaller town atmosphere where Pete joined his father-in-law, Kermit Sitterley, as a partner in the law firm of Sitterley & Vandervoort. Pete was honored for 50 years of membership in the Ohio State Bar Association and Rotary Club. 

Pete served on many boards including the Fairfield County American Cancer Society (15 years), for which he served several terms as President, the Lancaster Festival Board (1985-2001), and First United Methodist Church. 

His love of books and reading placed him at the doorstep of the Fairfield County District Library where he served on the Board of Trustees for 20 years. As President of the Board, Pete was confronted with solving the problem of the man who refused to wear shoes inside the library and who sued the Board over this rule before moving away and ending his challenge. Pete devoured books leaning towards science fiction. An example of a requested book at Christmas time was the Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology by Ayn Rand, a book none of his family ever asked to borrow.

Pete also loved to play his upright piano in the basement. The sounds of his piano could often be heard echoing through the house before dinner. Pete’s favorite possession was his 1930 Model A Ford which he bought in high school for $75.00 and enjoyed driving throughout his lifetime. 

Pete enjoyed fixing things and believed Elmer’s glue and a popsicle stick could fix almost anything. He spent many hours with his children at the workbench in the basement.

Pete was always quick to throw out a time honored saying to lighten the mood of the average day. He learned many of them from his father and grandfather, and some came from his childhood paper route or summer job digging ditches. A few of his classics are as follows: 

“Never tell a warthog he is ugly, he knows it and it just makes him mad.”

 “There is such merit to my theory that it can withstand the slings and arrows of fickle fate”

“Going forward steady by jerks like a toad a walking” 

Pete grew up exploring the woods and beaches of Lake Michigan from his family cottage, Vanhydaway, and spent nights in his trusty hideout, PeeWee Resort, which still stands on a hillside looking over the cottage. He and Nancy loved sharing this life, creating wonderful memories with their children and grandchildren.

Remaining behind to cherish Pete’s memory are spouse Nancy Vandervoort, children, Terre, Craig (Amy), and Jeff Vandervoort, grandchildren, David and Andrew Rader, Olivia, Nicholas, and Evelyn Vandervoort, and Justin and Colin Vandervoort. Preceding Pete in death are his parents Millard and Winifred Vandervoort.

Loving cremation has occurred by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, LANCASTER, OHIO 43130, and a private family memorial service will be held in the near future.

The family wishes to thank Fairhope Hospice for guidance and support and to thank the team of Barbie, Lisa, and Colleen for helping care for Pete.

Memorial donations in Pete’s memory may be directed to the Fairfield County District Library,   c/o Administration, 219 N. Broad St., Lancaster, Oh, 43130.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.